Five Health Leaders Respond to Obama Proposal

Cheryl Clark, for HealthLeaders Media, February 23, 2010

"Several governors from both parties have recently expressed reservations about a one-size-fits-all approach to healthcare reform.

"This new agency, which creates a highly politicized federal review process, would divorce premium review from the state regulators' responsibility of assuring that health plans have enough funds to pay future policyholder claims, potentially leading to multi-plan insolvencies across the country. The risks of such a proposal—namely undermining the security and stability of Americans' health insurance—must not be ignored."

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Richard Kirsch
National Campaign Manager
Healthcare for America Now
"We welcome President Obama's commitment to completing the task of freeing the American people from the tyranny of health insurance companies that profit off covering fewer people while charging higher premiums. The President's proposal will bring us nearer to that goal.

"Right now, several healthcare reform supporters are marching 135 miles from Philadelphia to Washington to tell members of Congress in person that they must finish healthcare reform now and finish it right. On Wednesday, hundreds will join these dedicated advocates in DC to make sure the President's healthcare summit includes the people's voice and the message that not one more person should have to suffer or die for lack of good, affordable health care.

"The President has given Republicans one more chance to put our families ahead of the insurance industry. We look forward to the President and Congressional leadership rapidly coming to agreement after the summit on a final bill and sending that bill to the Congress for an up or down vote."

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Cheryl Clark is a senior editor and California correspondent for HealthLeaders Media Online. She can be reached at cclark@healthleadersmedia.com. Follow Cheryl Clark on Twitter.

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