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National Groups Urge Congress to Move Forward on Comprehensive Health Reform
January 21, 2010
Washington, DC -- January 21, 2010 -- The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) today joined national groups representing patients, consumers, seniors and workers in urging Congress to move forward on comprehensive health care reform. ACS CAN, AARP, Consumers Union, Families USA and Service Employees International Union sent a letter to congressional leaders today calling on them not to step back on efforts to pass comprehensive reform.
"Millions of Americans who lack affordable insurance coverage are looking to you for leadership now," the groups wrote in the letter. "We urge you in the strongest terms to move forward without further delay and pass a final bill through Congress that will significantly improve our broken health care system."
The letter follows:
January 21 2010
The Honorable Nancy Pelosi
Speaker
U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, D.C. 20515
The Honorable Harry Reid
Majority Leader
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510
Dear Majority Leader Reid and Speaker Pelosi:
Our respective organizations have been working with groups and individuals across the country for more than a year to bring comprehensive health reform to the American people. We commend you for your consistent leadership on this critical issue over these many months.
The legislation passed by the House and Senate would broaden access to quality, affordable health care to tens of millions of people who are currently uninsured or underinsured by expanding Medicaid eligibility, establishing insurance reforms including the elimination of health status in determining eligibility and premium rates, and developing health insurance exchanges that serve as a new marketplace for pooling risk and enhancing consumer choice. The bills also make important changes to emphasize disease prevention, place greater emphasis on health care quality, and take vital steps to improve the efficiency of health care delivery systems.
Of course, the legislation is not perfect. No bill is. But now is not the time to turn back. Millions of Americans who lack affordable insurance coverage are looking to you for leadership now. We urge you in the strongest terms to move forward without further delay and pass a final bill through Congress that will significantly improve our broken health care system.
Thank you again for your attention to this critical issue facing the nation.
Sincerely,
AARP
American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network
Consumers Union
Families USA
SEIU
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