January 6, 2011
America is facing a health care crisis caused by a combination of skyrocketing costs and an insurance system that leaves 47 million of us without any coverage. The current 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 quality, affordable health care to all U.S. resididents. It is universal coverage that will determine the humanity of our system but until then, Americans should have access to affordable care. 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 decisions. Congress must take additional strong action to reduce the cost of health care for individuals, business and communities. As a nation, we are spending $1 out of every $6 we earn on health care. Legislation must provide effective cost controls, equitable distribution of services and allow for efficient, effective cost controls, equitable distribution of services, and make allowances for effective and economical delivery of care. Offering everyone the choice of a government administered health plan like Medicare that would compete with private health insurance will be key.Achieving this kind of comprehensive, system-wide reform will take a shared effort by citizens and Congress. Senators Cantwell and Murray and Representative Herrera-Beutler need to support real health care reform and not allow us to head backward.
