WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today Representative Xavier Becerra (CA-31), Vice Chair of the House Democratic Caucus and senior member of the Ways and Means Committee, participated in President Barack Obama’s “White House Forum on Health Reform.” A full spectrum of stakeholders from providers, to insurers, to patient advocates and members of Congress participated in the discussion on how to bring down health care costs while expanding coverage and improving care.
“The lack of health insurance has real consequences for American families and small businesses. A recent study by the Urban Institute found that 22,000 to 27,000 adults died in 2006 because they lacked health insurance,” said Congressman Xavier Becerra. “President Obama recognizes that the health care crisis is also a threat to our economy because medical debt contributes to half of all filed bankruptcies and he is committed to finding a solution, and listening to different ideas and options. I am confident that working together we will finally be able to make progress towards solving this crisis.”
In the last eight years premiums have quadrupled and nine million more Americans are without insurance—bringing the total to 46 million. In America today the cost of health care causes a bankruptcy every thirty seconds. These sobering statistics make a strong case for the urgent need for comprehensive health care reform that brings down costs for providers, insurers and patients and expands coverage to every American.