Release No. 0352.09
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USDA Office of Communications (202) 720-4623
AGRICULTURE SECRETARY VILSACK HOSTS ROUNDTABLE TO DISCUSS HEALTH CARE NEEDS OF PEOPLE IN CITIES AND TOWNS ACROSS AMERICA
Joins Nashville Mayor and Tennessee Health Commissioner at Local Hospital for Discussion
NASHVILLE, Tenn., July 30, 2009 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today hosted a health care roundtable to discuss the Obama Administration's commitment to addressing the skyrocketing cost of health care and the importance of acting quickly to achieve real reform. Vilsack stressed the need for healthcare reform in rural America, where families often have less access to providers, are more likely to be uninsured, and pay more out of pocket than their urban counterparts.
"President Obama understands that each day that passes without health care reform means more Americans are unable to get the care they need, when they need it," said Vilsack. "The time has come to pass reform legislation that will reduce the soaring cost of health care and ensure that every American can access the health care they deserve."
At the roundtable discussion, Vilsack was joined by Nashville Mayor Karl Dean and Tennessee Health Commissioner Susan Cooper, who discussed the health care concerns facing people in the greater Nashville area and throughout the state. The group heard from several Nashville-area residents who are struggling with the cost of the health care they need, including an individual who lost his job in February and could not cover the $1,000 per month cost of COBRA for him and his wife. Even with assistance from the stimulus package, the premium was still too much for to afford. He is still unemployed and not old enough for Medicare coverage.
During the course of the roundtable, Sec. Vilsack highlighted the key facts about the reform that President Obama is working to get passed, including:
Under health insurance reform, any American who is satisfied with the health plan they have can keep it.
Reform will bring stability and security to all Americans, who no longer will have to fear losing health coverage if they lose or switch jobs, become seriously ill or have a pre-existing medical condition.
Reform will create incentives to reward doctors for better health outcomes, not just additional or more expensive tests and treatments.
Under health insurance reform, nothing will get between patients' and doctors' decisions about what care is best. Not the government and not insurance companies.
Health insurance reform keeps government out of care decisions by letting Americans keep their insurance if they're happy with it. And it keeps insurance company bureaucrats from deciding what care a patient can
Prior to the roundtable, Sec. Vilsack toured the Nashville General Hospital with Dr. Reginald Coopwood, the CEO and Chief Medical Officer of the Metro Hospital Authority. Dr. Coopwood highlighted the services offered by the hospital, and noted the difficulties many patients face in paying for the care they need.
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