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   HEALTH CARE REFORM

 Please call Senators Nelson and LeMieux

 and Represenative Miller

While it is encouraging that Senate and House committees are beginning to seriously consider health care reform legislation, it is critical that the U.S. Congress takes action and passes real health care reform in the next few months. America is facing a health care crisis, caused by a combination of skyrocketing costs and a broken insurance system that leaves 47 million of us without any coverage. Americans who do have insurance face ever-higher premiums, the fear of losing employment-subsidized policies, and the threat of bankruptcy if complicated, industry-oriented claims processes deny payment for catastrophic illness or life saving drug expenses.

The current health care system is endangering both our economy and our health, and voters have made it clear that they want change. According to a study reported in The New England Journal of Medicine, 70 percent of Americans surveyed believe the health care system needs major changes, if not a complete overhaul. Health care reform legislation must guarantee access to quality, affordable, comprehensive health care to all U.S. residents.  It is universal coverage of this fundamental need that will measure the humanity of our system.

But coverage is not enough. We also need to provide for quality and safety in the health care system. The legislation must establish a system-wide program to coordinate information, edify best practices, and provide consumers the information they need to protect themselves and their families. In addition, it is essential that comparative data on treatments, benefits packages and medical outcomes be made publicly available so that individuals can make informed health decisions.

Congress needs to take additional strong action to reduce the costs of health care for individuals, businesses and communities.  As a nation, we are spending $1 out of every $6 we earn on health care.  Over the last three decades, increases in the amount we spend on healthcare have consistently risen faster than wages and inflation. Legislation must provide effective cost controls, equitable distribution of services and allow for efficient and economical delivery of care.

It's not a free market if consumer demand is a matter of life-or-death.  Parents don't have a choice to seek or not seek treatment for sick children. But one choice, a government administered health insurance plan like Medicare that would compete with private health insurance plans, will be key to controlling health care expenses and keeping everybody honest. Achieving this kind of comprehensive, system-wide reform will take a shared effort by citizens and Congress.  Please urge Senators Nelson and Martinez, and Representative Miller to support real health care reform.