Health Insurance: Working to Make a Change

For the nearly 45 million Americans without health insurance coverage, preventative health services are a luxury they cannot afford, and getting sick a financial impossibility too frightening to consider. Those who have health insurance coverage are uneasy about the future of coverage and wonder if coverage will be sufficient to cover the care they will need if they do get sick. Employers are struggling to meet employee health insurance coverage premiums that continue to soar disproportionate to the rate of inflation.

According to information provided by the Center for American Progress, 18,000 people die prematurely each year because they lack health coverage; health care costs is the number one reason Americans file for bankruptcy; and General Motors paid $5.2 billion for health benefits in 2004 -- more than the company paid for steel.

Our health care system is in a state of dire disrepair. The glaringly obvious problem of the health care crisis is an issue that has been talked about for a number of years, and yet progress in workable solutions largely subdued.

"A failure to focus on initiatives that would cut costs -- such as the promotion of preventive medicine and investment in efficiency-boosting health systems technology -- means that health care dollars are not being spent as well as they could be," states the Center for American Progress.

In December 2006, Oregon Senator Ron Wyden introduced a new proposal to provide every American with access to the same affordable, high quality, private health insurance coverage that members of Congress enjoy. "The Act provides universal coverage for no more money than our country spends today. Better care, financial health and security, no increase in costs," explains Wyden.

On May 7, 2007, it was announced that a coalition of 40 of this country's top business leaders and largest employers have launched the Coalition to Advance Healthcare Reform (CAHR). "As major employers, we are engaging in one of the most crucial domestic policy debates of our time -- fixing our nation's health care crisis, reducing out of control costs and ensuring every American has affordable healthcare," stated Safeway CEO and CAHR chairman Steve Burd. Senator Wyden, Utah's Senator Bob Bennett and Washington Congressman Brian Baird attended the press conference announcing the intended efforts of CAHR.

CAHR, the Center for American Progress and a handful of politicians are not alone in a stated urgency that health care and health insurance coverage needs reform now. In February 2007, a CBS News/New York Times poll reported 90 percent of Americans believe this nation's health care system needs "either fundamental changes or a complete overhaul." Over 50 percent of Americans consider universal health care coverage the top domestic policy issue facing this nation.

In Health Care by the Numbers, the first sentence reads, "America has the best health care in the world: the most talented doctors, the most sophisticated medical technology. But we don’t have the best health care system." It's time we did.

For more information about the need for health care insurance coverage reform and how to get involved in making a difference, visit the following webpages:

Cover the Uninsured State Profiles

Cover the Uninsured State Profiles provides a map of the US. Click on a state to learn the facts about each state's uninsured population and any health care program eligibility information available in that state.

Personal Stories

The Cover the Uninsured Week campaign has published personal stories from those who have experienced the negative consequences of being uninsured and the stories of the dedicated health care providers who work with the uninsured.

Coalition to Advance Healthcare Reform

The Coalition to Advance Healthcare Reform (CAHR) is a coalition of 40 of the nation's top business leaders, largest employers and other like-minded leaders working to bring about a workable solution in healthcare reform through market-based solutions to our nation’s healthcare crisis.

CAHR offers practical ways for individuals to get involved in influencing the debate with simple steps such as writing letters to your newspaper, contacting your legislators and congressional representatives, and engaging others in the healthcare debate. CAHR provides a easy-to-use web form for contacting representatives at the state and federal level.

Senator Ron Wyden (D-Oregon)

Senator Ron Wyden publishes a complete background of information about federal debate on health care reform and the Healthy Americans Act. The full text of the 166-page Healthy Americans Act is available as a PDF document.