President's Budget Makes a Big, Positive Contribution to Health Care Reform

President Obama released his proposed budget outline today. Included in that budget is an approximate $634 billion investment over 10 years for health care reform. The following is the statement of Ron Pollack, Executive Director of Families USA, about the health care reform aspects of the President’s proposed budget:

“The President’s significant investment in health care reform is a big, positive step that will be appreciated by families across the country. It is the clearest indication that his commitment to reform is real, and it augurs well for getting reform done this year.

“Remarkably, the President’s investment is fully consistent with the responsible budgeting he promised to the American people.

“The fiscal investment proposed by the President is a critical first step toward two related and important objectives—bending the health care cost growth curve and ensuring that everyone has access to high-quality, affordable health coverage and care.

“To achieve meaningful health care reform, up-front investments will need to be made to help families and businesses afford health coverage. Combined with investments already made for health information technology and comparative effectiveness research, the new, proposed investments will yield returns in improved quality of care for those who have insurance now and guarantee affordable coverage for all.

“Like never before, an incredibly diverse group of stakeholders—doctors, hospitals, other providers, insurers, business, labor, and consumers—are ready to work together with Congress and the President to make 2009 the year that health care reform happens. America’s families need us all to put them before our own self-interests as we define additional investments and positive approaches to making quality, affordable health care for all a reality.” 

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Families USA is the national organization for health care consumers. It is nonprofit and nonpartisan and advocates for high-quality, affordable health care for all Americans.

1201 New York Avenue NW, Suite 1100 · Washington, DC 20005
202-628-3030 · Email: info@familiesusa.org · www.familiesusa.org