FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
September 21, 2006
CONTACT:
Connie Chic Smith 301-443-1592
Lisa Goodnight 301-443-1548
Media Advisory
CONSENSUS: AMERICANS WANT HEALTH CARE FOR ALL
Groundbreaking National Dialogue Reveals Consensus to Make Health Care System Work for All Americans
Washington, D.C. – The Citizens’ Health Care Working Group (CHCWG) will issue a report demonstrating remarkable consensus among Americans for public policy that ensures all Americans, regardless of their financial resources or health status, have affordable health care coverage.
Over the past year, the CHCWG engaged the American public in a groundbreaking national dialogue on health care issues—resulting in an important first step needed to achieve meaningful health care reform. Average citizens, health care experts, community and health-related organizations, and businesses participated in this dialogue in variety of ways from attending community forums, to completing internet-based surveys, to participating in fact finding meetings, to commenting on preliminary recommendations generated by the CHCWG based on this nationwide debate. In 37 states where meetings were held and in more than 28,000 responses on the internet, the message was loud and clear: Americans want health care for all; and they want it now.
Authorized by the 2003 Medicare Modernization Act, the CHCWG was charged with eliciting direct input from the American people on how to improve the current health care system, then developing recommendations for consideration by Congress and the President. The views of participating citizens were consistent with recent national polls, conveying a sense of urgency for immediate fundamental changes in the health care system to ensure the well-being of Americans and their families.
WHO: Members of the Citizens’ Health Care Working Group
WHAT: Release of Health Care Recommendations to Congress
and the President
WHEN: Monday, September 25, 2006 at 9:30 a.m.
WHERE: National Press Club, First Amendment Room
529 14th St. NW, 13th Floor, Washington, D.C.
About the Citizens’ Health Care Working Group
- The Working Group consists of 15 members -- 14 citizens of diverse
backgrounds from across the country, and the Secretary of Health and
Human Services. To read member bios or get more information on the Citizens’
Health Care Working Group, visit www.citizenshealthcare.gov.
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