1/3 of farm and ranch operators with insurance purchased it directly through an insurance agent. 4 Throughout rural America, there are nearly 50 million people who face challenges in accessing health care. Hard Times in the Heartland provides insight into the current state of health care in rural areas and the critical need for health care reform. View Report Printable PDF View Bottom Line Report View Costs of Inaction
| | Q: Which is a bigger killer: homicides or lack of health insurance? Check Out The Answer
What People Are SayingMonday, May 11, 2009
“Reform is not a luxury that can be postponed.” Today President Obama hosted a meeting at the White House with six leaders of the health care industry to discuss what can be done to bring down the rising cost of health care. During the meeting, health care representatives presented a letter to President Obama outlining their commitment to work with the Administration to slow the skyrocketing costs of health care. In the letter, the companies pledge to decrease the annual health care spending growth rate by 1.5 percentage points, which estimates suggest could save as much as $2 trillion over the next ten years. President Obama said that this voluntary effort by the groups represents an “unprecedented commitment” to bringing down health care spending. President Obama has said repeatedly that bringing about health reform will not be easy; rather it will require everyone making sacrifices. Today’s announcement is welcome news to the Obama Administration and represents a step in the right direction. Read Excerpt Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Letter to Chairman Baucus and Ranking Member Grassley During Secretary Sebelius’ confirmation process, she said that “action is not a choice. It is a necessity.” Days after her confirmation, HHS Secretary Sebelius sent a letter to two of the men who will play key roles in passing health reform: Senator Max Baucus and Senator Chuck Grassley. Read Excerpt Thursday, April 30, 2009
2009: The Year of Health Reform One of Secretary Sebelius’ top priorities will be to work with the President, Congress, and Nancy-Ann DeParle to pass comprehensive health reform this year. In a recent WSJ story entitled, “Moment is Ripe for Obama to Fix Health Care”, writer David Wessel explains why this may be the “Year of Health Reform” Read Excerpt Thurs, April 23, 2009
"With All These People Losing Jobs, A Lot Will Lose Their Health Insurance" Evidence is mounting that the recession is causing thousands of Americans to lose their health care coverage. The Wall Street Journal reports today that health insurance companies are seeing profits shrink as their members are being laid off at an unexpected rate. Read Excerpt |