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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
Contact: |
AHIP Statement on House Health Care Reform Discussion Draft
"We strongly believe that now is the time for comprehensive, bipartisan health care reform that makes care more affordable, improves quality, and covers all Americans. We are currently reviewing the draft and look forward to participating in a broad discussion on the workability of the proposed reforms.
"Health plans have offered a comprehensive overhaul of existing market rules and new consumer protections to achieve universal coverage, guarantee coverage for pre-existing conditions, discontinue rating based on health status or gender, and ensure continuity of care and portability of coverage for all individuals.
"The American people overwhelmingly agree that those who like their current coverage should be able to keep it. We share the concerns that providers, employers, and patients have raised about the significant unintended consequences of a government-run plan. A government-run plan would dismantle employer-based coverage, add additional liabilities to the federal budget, and turn-back-the-clock on efforts to improve the quality and safety of patient care. Estimates show that 100 million people would lose their current coverage and be forced into a government-run plan.
"A better approach is to pursue reforms that can achieve broad bipartisan support, including strengthening the health care safety net, overhauling existing market rules, promoting shared responsibility, and transforming the delivery system to reward quality and value.
"As we work toward the shared goal of simplifying health care choices, it is crucial to develop an architecture with workable rules that ensures broad participation of health plans, makes available a variety of coverage options, and avoids duplicative regulation that makes it harder for working families and small employers to afford coverage. Moreover, health care reform needs to ensure that patients continue to benefit from health plans' programs that improve quality and safety, advance evidence-based care, and promote affordability.
"We need a uniquely American approach to health care reform. Health plans are committed to this process and will do our part to help make this goal a reality."
This statement, as well as other health care reform updates, can also be found on our Campaign for an American Solution blog: www.americanhealthsolution.com/blog.
