WASHINGTON - House Ways and Means Health Subcommittee Chair Pete Stark (D-CA) today lead a hearing on health reform in the 21st Century. Members of the Committee and the witnesses discussed core components of the health reform effort.
“Working families are struggling through this recession, with medical costs driving both bankruptcies and home foreclosures," said Rep. Stark. “Comprehensive health reform is needed to ensure affordable health coverage for the 46 million uninsured. Today’s experts made clear that the option of a public health insurance plan is the key to slowing the health spending trend and improving quality."
The hearing’s panel consisted of:
· John Z. Ayanian, M.D., MPP, on behalf of the Institute of Medicine Committee on Health Insurance Status and Its Consequences
· Karen Davis, Ph.D., President, The Commonwealth Fund, New York, NY
· John M. Pickering, FSA, MAAA, Principal, Consulting Actuary, Milliman, Inc, Seattle, WA
Dr. Ayanian discussed the serious effects of having a large population without health insurance, and the importance of everyone participating in the system:
Dr. Ayanian: “Our Committee determined the evidence on the adverse health consequences of being uninsured is stronger than ever before. This evidence makes a compelling case for urgent action, because health insurance coverage matters for the health of children, adults, and communities. Expanding health coverage to all Americans is essential and should be done as swiftly as possible."
To view Dr. Ayanian’s testimony on the effects of the uninsured, please visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XG6A-DJQ7HE
Dr. Davis touched on the importance of competition between a public health insurance plan and private plans:
Dr. Davis: “By offering competition and choices, by letting employers either directly purchase coverage or bring their employees into a national health insurance exchange with many more private plans and a public health insurance alternative, employers could in fact find a more affordable choice as employees find a more affordable choice."
To view Karen Davis’s testimony on the importance of having a public plan to compete with private insurance plans, please visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fUmdb5JoIF0
The members of the panel also discussed the importance of medical delivery reforms:
John Pickering: “I believe in the country today our health care system is very fragmented. When you look at some of the best practice private plans out there, they’re integrated delivery systems that deliver the best care for the lowest cost. I think we need to try to model reforms to integrate the rest of our delivery system."
To view John Pickering and Dr. Davis discussing medical delivery reforms with Rep. Pomeroy, please visit:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IEqfb_ABwbA
To view testimony and background materials from today’s hearing, please visit:
https://democrats.waysandmeans.house.gov/hearings.asp?formmode=detail&hearing=659
