Health Care & Prescription Drugs News

Statement by Mike Russo, Health Care Advocate and Staff Attorney for CALPIRG: 

“The current health care system doesn’t give Californians access to quality health insurance at a fair price.  Californians need comprehensive reform, and that’s why CALPIRG is committed to achieving it this year.”

“In our testimony today, we told the legislature that real health care reform has t contain costs, expand coverage, and ensure that consumers can get a fair shake when buying insurance.  The Governor has committed to many health reform principles that we share, but his proposal needs to do more to rein in the insurance companies and help consumers.”   

CALPIRG is calling for greater consumer protections, including:

• Allowing all Californians to join a group purchasing pool, so no one is forced to fend for themselves when buying insurance
• Providing clear benchmark plans so consumers can make apples-to-apples price and benefit comparisons when choosing coverage
• Closing loopholes that would allow insurers to escape the requirement that they spend 85 cents on the dollar on health benefits

 “This hearing was the next step in the process to passing health care reform this year. With time running out, we are urging the Governor and legislative leaders to make good on the promise of health reform in 2007.”

For more information, including our detailed analysis of the Governor’s proposal (look under “What’s New”), visit CALPIRG’s webpage on health care reform: 

http://www.calpirg.org/health-care/lowering-the-costs-of-health-insurance.

CALPIRG is a statewide membership-based public interest group that stands up to powerful interests, working to win concrete results for Californians’ health and well-being. With researchers, advocates, organizers and students, we advocate on behalf of consumers and all California’s residents. 

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