Today, HCFA and GBIO are issuing a challenge to insurers to freeze health premiums for one year or until a meaningful long-term cost containment solution is reached, and urged all stakeholders – doctors and hospitals, government, insurers, business and consumers -to do their part to reduce health costs in the Commonwealth.
Join us to rally to call for a time out on premium increases today at noon, in front of the State House. Sign our Petition. And join our challenge.
As we passed health reform, health care cost control demands shared responsibility. HCFA and GBIO are issuing the following challenges:
- insurers – Deliver relief to policy holders and keep health insurance premiums level for 2012, without reducing benefit packages or increasing patient out of pocket costs.
- hospitals and doctors- Reduce costs by promoting integrated care, prevention and wellness, and end wasteful and inefficient treatments. If necessary, re-open existing contracts with insurers to end unjustified price increases.
- government-Enact comprehensive reform of the health care payment and delivery system, and lead by example to move state employees, as well as MassHealth and Commonwealth Care members into alternative payment arrangements with providers by 2013.
- employers- Join individual consumers in saying enough is enough and work with us to support a premium freeze for one year or until there is an agreed upon solution for and comprehensive delivery and payment reforms. Large self-insured employers should also work aggressively to negotiate appropriate provider payment rates in order to freeze annual premium increases for workers.
- consumers- Be more educated and engaged in community prevention efforts that can improve health status and at the same time reduce community health care costs.
More info at: www.hcfama.org/TimeOutOnHealthCareCosts.Join us today and let’s fight together for quality, affordable health care for all.
Brian Rosman
Health Care For All
