Maureen Reed for Congress

Increased Coverage for the Uninsured and Elimination of Pre-existing Conditions are Important Accomplishments, Payment Reform and Reducing Costs are Necessary Next Steps

The following statement is from Jason Isaacson, Campaign Manager of the Reed Campaign:
"Today, we applaud the courageous action the United States House of Representatives took by passing the health care bill, which is a historic step toward improving health care access in the United States. As we celebrate this important accomplishment, we must be cognizant that there is a long road ahead until we complete comprehensive health care reform.

When President Obama signs the Health Care Bill, these historic measures will occur:

• 32 million more Americans will have access to health insurance through an expansion of the Medicaid program and subsidies for people to purchase insurance.
• Insurance companies will no longer be able to exclude people from coverage because of pre-existing conditions.
• Young adults will have the option of remaining on their family insurance plans until age 26.
• The so-called "donut hole" in the Medicare drug program will be eliminated.

Keeping the historic improvements in access and coverage in mind, this bill falls far short in the crucial areas of payment reform and lowering costs. Currently we pay for our health care incorrectly. We pay for individual services at the back end of care instead of paying at the front end for prevention, coordination, and overall best care. Only when we address this core problem will we realize the savings we need to complete health care reform.

We do not need to raise taxes and put more money in the health care system; we need to spend the money already in the system more effectively. The bottom line: we must cover everyone and cut costs. Health care reform is too important for our families, businesses and country to stop when the job is not complete.

In Congress, Maureen will be a tireless advocate to ensure that we complete this process. Maureen has decades of experience in health care and in balancing budgets, and she will take her real-world experience to Washington in order to get things done."

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