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FILE PHOTO COURTESY U.S. REP. JAMES R. LANGEVIN
HCAN HAS LAID OUT “important goals for a substantive and effective health care reform effort,” U.S. Rep. James R. Langevin said in supporting the effort. “It is unfathomable that 47M people in the wealthiest nation on earth are forced to live without health insurance,” added U.S. Rep. Patrick J. Kennedy. Shown, from left, are Langevin, Kennedy, U.S. Sen. Jack Reed and Gov. Donald R. Carcieri.
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PROVIDENCE – Both of Rhode Island’s congressmen last week declared their support for the principles of the Health Care for America Now, a national campaign advocating for health care reform to provide universal, affordable coverage for all Americans.
“It is unfathomable that 47 million people in the wealthiest nation on earth are forced to live without health insurance, and that so many millions more with insurance still have to worry about losing their coverage and being denied care by their insurer,” U.S. Rep. Patrick J. Kennedy said in a news release.
“The guiding principles set forth by the HCAN coalition represent important goals for a substantive and effective health care reform effort,” said U.S. Rep. James R. Langevin. “I applaud the coalition’s commitment to improving our health care system and look forward to working with them.”
The two lawmakers joined more than 80 other members of the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate who have endorsed the campaign’s principles, which include:
Guaranteed coverage and care for everyone in America.
Affordable coverage and care, with premiums and out-of-pocket costs based on a family’s ability to pay.
A choice of health insurance plans, including the right to keep one’s current plan, choose another private plan, or to join a public health insurance plan.
Tight government regulation and oversight of insurance company practices and charges, “requiring them to put our health care before their profits.”
The campaign has an active and vocal presence in Rhode Island, with 15 local organizations involved that represent workers, health care consumers and providers. The groups have been promoting the campaign through house parties, public events and direct outreach to voters.
“With growing unemployment and economic insecurity in Rhode Island and across the country, supporting access to quality, affordable health care for all Americans, and rejecting proposals that would leave us ‘on our own’ to find coverage, is more important than ever,” said Peter Asen, associate director of Ocean State Action, a campaign member.
Asen also called on U.S. Sen. Jack Reed and U.S. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, whom he described as “strong advocates for increasing health coverage in the past,” to follow the congressmen’s example.
For information about the HCAN campaign, visit www.HealthCareForAmericanow.org. For news and information from the U.S. Congress, visit www.house.gov or www.senate.gov.
