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"Health care now ranks fourth(2) in importance to U.S. voters behind theeconomy, the situation in Iraq and energy," says Nancy Schlichting. "Thestrength of the economy and energy are inextricably linked to the nation'shealth care crisis. We need a national solution. With more than 1 millionpeople uninsured in Michigan and 46 million nationwide, we can ill afford notto make access to affordable health care a priority issue as voters go thepolls this November."
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Being uninsured is a business issue. Employees without health insurancehave more sick days and are less productive. When people are unemployed, theyquickly lose their options for affordable preventative care and costlyemergency room visits increase according to Schlichting.
"Employers who are able to provide health care benefits face increasingcosts. Relying on employer-sponsored health care is making the U.S.non-competitive globally," says Schlichting. "The Michigan Health & HospitalAssociation reported that Michigan's nonprofit hospitals provided anunprecedented $2.6 billion in unreimbursed care in 2007.(3) This safety netis not sustainable. Until we face the reality that health care is broken, wewill continue in a downward spiral that will destroy the nation's health caresystem. Our next president must make a national solution to health care hisnumber one priority."
More than 250 leaders from business, health care and the non-profitcommunity are expected to attend the Health Summit on the Uninsured presentedby the Michigan Cover the Uninsured Network. Sponsors include: NationalAmerican Arab Nurses Association, Michigan Health & Hospital Association,Michigan State Medical Society, Michigan Business & Professional Association,Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, Michigan Association of Health Plans,Health Alliance Plan, Divided We Fail, Molina Healthcare, Detroit RegionalChamber, United Way for Southeastern Michigan, Henry Ford Health System,University of Michigan Health System, DMC Children's Hospital of Michigan,Trinity Health, Beaumont Hospitals, Oakwood Healthcare, St. John Health andMichigan AFL-CIO.
There is no charge for the event but reservations are required. Toregister, call 313 874-7178 or contact Naomi Ruth at [email protected]. Forinformation and to join the Michigan Cover the Uninsured Network visithttp://www.mctun.org.-- Henry J. Aaron, senior fellow, Brookings Institution. Aaron, a national health care policy expert will present an analysis of the pros and cons of the candidates' proposals -- Nancy Schlichting, Chair, Michigan Health & Hospital Association and President & CEO, Henry Ford Health System -- Marianne Udow-Phillips, Director, Center for Healthcare Research & Transformation, Ann Arbor -- John J.H. Schwarz, M.D., Physician and former U.S. Congressman -- Ron Dzwonkowski, Moderator, Editorial Page Editor, Detroit Free Press
SOURCE The Michigan Cover the Uninsured Network
