President Outlines Health Care Agenda That Can Make A Difference for Millions of Americans

Now Congress Needs to Act

Statement of Ron Pollack, Executive Director of Families USA in response to President's State of the Union Address:

"In last night's State of the Union address, the President outlined a number of proposals that would improve the quality of health care received by the millions of Americans who get their care in managed care plans and strengthen the Medicare program for future generations. The job now falls to Congress to debate these proposals and pass legislation that truly works to fix many of the problems with health care in this country.

"Last evening the President called on Congress to pass a Patients' Bill of Rights. Last year the HMO industry and their allies spent millions of dollars to kill patient protection legislation and they will again pressure Congress to kill this legislation or severely weaken it. Congress needs to stand up to the industry and pass legislation that truly protects consumers from managed care abuses.

"The President also outlined a number of proposals that will begin to address the problems with the Medicare program. As the baby boom generation ages, care for the elderly will become the issue for the 21st century. The President's proposal to use the budget surplus to strengthen the Medicare coffers well into the 21st century will help millions of baby boomers when they become eligible for Medicare and his proposal to allow early retirees to buy into the Medicare program will expand coverage for millions of Americans who now can't afford it. Finally, the President's recognition that the cost of prescription drugs is an incredible burden for today's seniors should start an important debate on making prescription drugs part of the basic Medicare package.

"The ball is now in Congress' court. The proposals presented last night by President Clinton are a good starting point for discussion of the most important health care issues facing our country. Now, Congress needs to get back to the business of the American people and pass legislation what will improve access to high quality affordable health care for all Americans."

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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