N E W S R E L E A S E

For Immediate Release: Thursday, February 6, 1997

Contact:
Marianne McInerney
(202) 637-6839Statement of
Henry E. Simmons. M.D., M.P.H.
President, National Coalition on Health Care
on
President Clinton’s Proposed Budget For Fy 1998

Washington, DC The following is the statement of Henry E. Simmons, M.D., M.P.H., President, National Coalition on Health Care in response to President Clinton’s 1998 Budget.

“The President’s Budget proposal is an important and urgently needed first step in meeting the short-term fiscal challenges the nation faces with the Medicare Trust Fund. As we move towards solving the problems of the near future, we urge the Administration as well as both Houses of Congress to assess each proposal with a watchful eye on the impact each will have on the immediate solvency of Medicare and on the long-term standing of the system to provide for future generations.”

“As our population ages, the biggest challenges are still ahead of us and require that Medicare be explored within the context of the entire health care system. To ensure the viability of the Medicare system it will be important to address needed structural and financial changes and move towards increasing the quality of care in a more cost efficient manner.”

“During this legislative process, it will be imperative that everyone at the table remember that the Medicare system is only one part of our health care system. For Medicare reforms to be truly successful, they must be considered in concert with needed changes for the entire health care system.”

“The upcoming Medicare debate must move beyond cutting payments to doctors, managed health organizations and hospitals to a playing field which supports and encourages our legislators to make difficult decisions that preserve the quality of care for senior citizens without risking the future financial well-being and health of younger generations.”

“The National Coalition on Health Care looks forward to working with the Administration and Congress to address these critical needs and to work towards a health care system that achieves high quality of care, lower costs and increases the number of individuals and families with health care coverage.”

The National Coalition on Health Care is the nation’s largest and most broadly representative health care alliance working to improve America’s health care. A nonpartisan organization, the Coalition’s membership brings together large and small business, labor union, consumer organizations, health care providers and the nation’s major religious organizations.

Additional information on The National Coalition on Health Care is available on the world wide web at http://www.americashealth.org.