We're Ready

Yet another public opinion poll has confirmed that the nation is ready for health care reform.

• Nine out of 10 people surveyed said the presidential candidates should propose reforms that would improve the quality of health care, ensure that all Americans have affordable care, and reduce the number of uninsured.
• Eight in 10 people said they supported efforts to improve health care performance, access, quality and cost. For example, one in three said their doctors ordered tests that had already been done or recommended unnecessary treatment.
• Most of the people surveyed expressed frustration with the way their health care was managed. For instance, 47 percent said their health care was poorly coordinated; this lack of coordination included not being informed about test results and having to make several calls to get the results.
• Nine of 10 people said it was important that they have one place or one doctor responsible for their primary care and coordination of all their care. And, nine of 10 wanted easier access to their medical records.

Our own Health Security Index shows the same readiness:

• The number one concern regarding health security is affordability - and from 2007 to 2008 there was a 50 percent jump in the number of respondents that cited affordable health care for all as the single most important challenge facing the nation today.
• Democrats (34%), Republicans (32%), and Independents (39%) similarly recognize affordability as the most important health care challenge.
• The uninsured are more than three times as likely to have to choose between basic necessities, like rent and groceries, and health care.
• Across all political parties, respondents showed surprising agreement on reform measures that support health insurance choice and tax credits for the poor.

So if the nation is ready, why aren't we making progress? It's no longer a question of political will, but of priorities. Vying for attention with health care reform are the Iraq War and the economy. Only by telling our nation's leaders that you want health care reform to remain a priority will we be able to affect real change. Send in a letter or an email to your local representatives and keep the focus strong.