FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 6, 2008
CONTACT: Tiffany Lundquist, (410) 869-2204, tlundquist@aarp.org
HEALTH CARE FORUM FINDS CONSENSUS ON WORKING TOWARDS SOLUTIONS NOW
Panelists agree: bi-partisan action is needed on health care.
Baltimore, MD – Health care experts and leaders from across the political spectrum came together today at a forum exploring solutions to America’s health care crisis. While there were differences of opinion and disagreements about specific policies, there was consensus that the time to act on health care is now.
Health care costs were a primary focus of the forum, which was sponsored by Divided We Fail and AARP Maryland. An April 2008 poll by the Kaiser Family Foundation finds that health care costs rank among Americans’ top personal economic problems, and their struggles to deal with those costs have affected both their financial well-being and their family’s health care.
“People are struggling, whether they have health insurance or they don’t, and there are no easy answers or simple solutions,” said Joseph DeMattos, Jr., AARP Maryland Senior State Director. “But when we take the time to listen to each other, we begin to find the common ground for consensus and action.”
Panelists included Maryland Secretary of Aging Gloria Lawlah; health care advocate Vincent DeMarco; Baltimore County Department of Aging Director Arnold Eppel; Ellen Valentino, Maryland Director of NFIB (National Federation of Independent Business), and Michael Nolin of UMBC’s Center for Health Program Development and Management.
“We have made great strides in Maryland this year,” said DeMarco, referring to health care legislation passed in both the November 2007 special session and the 2008 regular session of the General Assembly. “But there is much work left to be done to assure access to quality, affordable health care for all Marylanders.”
“Health care is a daily concern for our small-business members and for their employees,” said Valentino. “Conversations like the one we had today will be critical if we as a society are to move forward together to solve the health care crisis.”
More than 125 policy experts, medical professionals, and interested members of the community attended the forum at Towson’s Conference Center at Sheppard Pratt.
AARP
AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization that helps people 50+ have independence, choice and control in ways that are beneficial and affordable to them and society as a whole. AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to either political campaigns or candidates.
Divided We Fail
It's time we ensure health and long-term financial security for all. That's why AARP, Business Roundtable, the Service Employees International Union and the National Federation of Independent Businesses are leading Divided We Fail, an initiative to give voice to millions of Americans who are tired of letting Washington gridlock stand in the way of affordable, quality health care and long-term financial security. Go to www.dividedwefail.org to learn more.
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About the 50th Anniversary
