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No Surprise: Insurance Lobbyist Backs off Cost Controls
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Statement by Health Rights Organizing Project
Friday, May 15, 2009202-339-9331
Washington- Just four days ago, representatives from health care industry gathered with the White House and made a historic commitment to control escalating costs. Already private health insurers are backing away from those promises. The following is a statement by the Health Rights Organizing Project:
“Monday’s historic meeting between the White House and health care industry stakeholders will go down in history for being the quickest about face by health industry lobbyists,” said G. Smith, Associate Director of the Northwest Federation of Community Organizations (NWFCO). “They promised to control escalating costs and now they’re back peddling on this simple deal.
“This is a clear wake up call for our political leaders that promises from the insurance industry mean nothing. There can be no clearer signal that true health care reform will only be achieved when people have a choice between public and private health insurance. We need a public option to keep these insurers honest. Private insurance will always look out for number one—themselves and continue to prioritize profits over people. Negotiating away a public plan option for more false promises would be a tragic mistake.
“Let’s get real about health care reform and stop the politics as usual.”
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The Health Rights Organizing Project (HROP) is a national coalition of community organizations across the country working to achieve quality health care for all. HROP is co-convened by the Northwest Federation of Community Organizations (NWFCO) and the Center for Community Change.
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