Health care reform aims to improve the accessibility, affordability and quality of health care for all Americans. League policy affirms that every individual should have a right to access basic health care services, including disease prevention, primary and acute care, long term care, mental health care and health promotion. Policy goals also should include the advancement of medical research and technology, as well as a reasonable total national expenditure level.
Policy makers have an opportunity to make major progress in the effort toward a high-quality, affordable and accessible health care system. Consumers are losing faith in the old agenda and ready for new answers. Leaders in legislatures and governors’ mansions are poised to act. Employers and labor unions are prepared to commit their resources to a course of action that makes sense for them.
The health care reform bills pending in Congress can make the difference. These legislations can put our nation’s budget on a sustainable path, end discrimination against people with pre-existing conditions and bring greater accountability to the insurance industry.
One important component of the health reform bill is to restore ACA premium subsidies for all current enrollees and prevent future cost spikes by reining in insurer costs. This will help keep premiums stable for many and allow people to continue to receive the health benefits they deserve. Another key feature of this legislation is to promote transparency in the marketplace and ensure that consumers are able to easily compare and choose coverage options. Lastly, the bill would extend a safety net of funding for all residually uninsured individuals to ensure that they are able to get the health care they need.
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