For too long, the political will to take the bold action necessary to enact comprehensive health care reform has been missing in Washington. The last attempt, in 1993-1994 under President Bill Clinton, was met with staunch resistance from Republicans in Congress, business, and the insurance industry, who together led efforts to defeat the measure.
This time is different. Business, health, consumer, and other groups and stakeholders from across the political spectrum have come together to demand action on reform this year, including many that led the opposition in the past. Now - like no other time in recent history – there is a nearly universal call for action.
Health care stakeholders pledge to reduce costs
“We are determined to work together to provide quality, affordable coverage and access for every American. It is critical, however, that health reform also enhance quality, improve the overall health of the population, and reduce cost growth.” – Letter to President Obama from Health Care Reform Stakeholders, 5/11/09
Major health care stakeholders – including the Advanced Medical Technology Association, America’s Health Insurance Plans, American Hospital Association, American Medical Association, Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, Service Employees International Union – voluntarily came forward and pledged to cumulatively slow the national growth rate of health care expenditures, saving an estimated two trillion health care dollars over 10 years, bending the spending curve for national health expenditures by 1.5% per year.
Americans support making health care more affordable
According to a recent poll by Consumers Union, 71 percent of Americans support or strongly support health care reform to ensure that everybody has access to affordable, quality health care. In addition, a majority of Americans acknowledge that they need the types of reform supported by President Obama and Congressional Democrats:
Sixty-six percent of Americans support having a public health insurance plan option.
Nearly two-thirds (64 percent) expressed major or moderate concern about the ability to afford doctor visits in the future.
Sixty percent of Americans said they had a major or moderate concern about the possibility of bankruptcy because of a medical concern.
