Nat. Lessons from State Health Reform: The Mass. Case

February 25, 2009, 2pm – 4pm, 2226 Rayburn House Office Building.

Urge your Representative to attend a joint forum organized by the Leadership Conference for Guaranteed Health Care. In the last two decades over a dozen state health reform acts have attempted to provide universal health care coverage, and failed. Critical analysis of these models is essential to national health care reform. The February 25 forum will consider the most recent state health care overhaul this country has seen. What can we learn from Massachusetts and is it a model for national health policy?

The ‘Massachusetts model’ includes many of the policy features currently being considered in national health care reform, including individual mandates, subsidized private insurance for low-income individuals, employer “play or pay” provisions, and the creation of an insurance exchange designed to promote competition and encourage insurers to offer adequate and affordable coverage. We feel it is especially important to consider the lessons of the ‘Massachusetts model’ before incorporating any of these features into a national health care reform bill.

In order to provide a multifaceted view of the Massachusetts reform, the forum will be run like a congressional hearing. We are inviting Congressional Members to join the ‘Committee’ of Representatives who will listen to witness testimony and ask questions of the expert panel. Congressman Eric Massa [NY-29] will serve as Chairman.

This is a rare opportunity to hear from physicians, nurses, patience, labor leaders, insurance brokers, and state legislators who are living with the impact of the Massachusetts reform everyday. Urge your Congressperson to represent you and all of those suffering in our healthcare crisis. Ask your Representative to listen to the witnesses testimony and ask the tough questions. We cannot afford to repeat the mistakes of the past–too much is at stake.

Announce the Forum.

Invite your Representative to Attend.

Send your Rep. an email.

Volunteers are need at 10am, the same day in Washington, DC, to distribute materials to every member of Congress. If you can take part in delivering materials to Congress or attend the event, please RSVP to Katie Robbins-info@healthcare-now.org or 1-800-453-1305.

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