(Cromwell, CT, November 12, 2008) - Speaking before the 142nd Annual National Grange Convention, Greg Gierer, Director of Policy for the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) stated that some 45 million Americans are without health insurance and that 18,000 die each year from lack of coverage and subsequent care. To help improve the quality of care and coverage in the U.S., America’s pharmaceutical research and biotechnology companies are supporting efforts to ensure that all Americans have access to high-quality and affordable health insurance coverage.
The Grange is a rural advocacy organization founded in 1867 with 240,000 members in 2,800 local Granges across 38 states. It is concerned with agriculture and rural health, education, safety and communications. Its national office is in Washington, DC. PhRMA, also based in the nation’s capital, represents the country’s leading research-based pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, which are devoted to developing new medicines that help patients live longer, healthier and more productive lives.
Gierer called health care improvement the second most important issue facing the new administration next to the stagnant economy. Citing a Kaiser Family Foundation study showing 32% of Americans are having troubling covering their health care costs, Gierer classified health care costs as one of the top economic challenges facing American workers and families.
PhRMA supports health care reforms aimed at providing all Americans with access to affordable health insurance and reforms that address health care costs and quality gaps in the nation’s health care system. The organization envisions expansion in both the private and public insurance sectors. Steps to reduce the 45 million uninsured would include signing up almost 12 million uninsured who are eligible but have not enrolled in Medicaid and the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), encouraging uninsured workers to sign up for company insurance programs through premium assistance payments from Medicaid and SCHIP funds, and tax incentives to smaller employers to start employee health insurance programs.
PhRMA also encourages pooling arrangements that will enhance consumer choice and create competition among participating companies and, most important, make health insurance available regardless of existing health status.
Gierer pointed out that through its Partnership for Prescription Assistance, PhRMA has already helped more than 5.2 million uninsured and financially-struggling Americans access patient assistance programs that can provide prescription medicines for free or nearly-free.
Gierer went on to say that healthier lifestyles and better prevention are critical to reducing health care costs in America. More than 133 million Americans suffer from chronic disease, most of which is related to obesity. Obesity has sky-rocketed in the past decade and PhRMA strongly advocates an obesity education program much like that which has been done on anti-smoking efforts.
Recognizing that chronic disease must also be treated, PhRMA supports the use of evidence based medicine to close the gap between care known to be effective and care patients are currently receiving. PhRMA also supports the use of health information technology that can lead to early intervention, greater transparency of quality and costs to help consumers make informed choices and accelerated medical advances through federal funding of basic science and support of the Food and Drug Administration’s “Critical Path” initiatives.
Gierer concluded by saying that we must strive to eliminate health care disparities that disadvantage racial, ethnic and even rural groups. PhRMA advocates prevention initiatives aimed at those groups as well as improved health care coverage.
The National Grange is the nation’s oldest agricultural and rural community organization, and has evolved to incorporate the interests of non-farm rural families and communities, as well as the traditional interests of family farmers and ranchers. It has nearly 3,000 state, local, and grassroots chapters across 40 states.
ress releases sent by the National Grange to general and farm media outlets. The press releases outline the organizations activities in Washington D.C., and elsewhere around the country. The National Grange also sends press releases to local media outlets on behalf of Subordinate, Pomona, and State Granges. See how local Granges across the country are improving the quality of life in rural America through innovative member, and community service programs.
