The need for health care reform is well-known and, to most
Americans, indisputable. Numerous
statistics and an endless trove of real-life stories document the need
for bold
health care reform. This section provides four sets of policies to
help state legislators
and advocates build proposals and political strategies to challenge the
self-interests of the health care industry and successfully move health
care
reform:
The cost of health care is the primary reason at least 47
million Americans lack coverage and at least 25
million more are under-insured, meaning their insurance does not shield
them from high health care costs. From 2002 to 2007, family
insurance premiums rose 78% while inflation rose 17% and wages a mere
19%. Both employers and employees are feeling the squeeze.
Failure to create a coordinated and user-friendly health
care system that provides necessary coverage for all Americans has left us with
the endemic health care costs and wasteful spending that define our disjointed
health care system. For instance, a staggering 78% of all health
care costs are for people with chronic conditions like diabetes, heart
disease, and depression - costs which could be reduced with effective
management and disease prevention.
