Government
Small-business group releases 10 health system reform principles
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted Jan. 7, 2008
The National Federation of Independent Business, which represents small businesses, outlined its 10 standards for health system reform last month. The NFIB is calling for universal access to affordable health care under a system that is as private as possible. Consumer choice of insurers, physicians and other health professionals must be maintained.
The health system also should allow Americans to change jobs and residences without losing their health insurance, and make cost and quality information easily available and understandable. Reforms should move at a rapid pace but not so fast as to reduce quality of care.
Todd Stottlemyer, NFIB president and CEO, said the 2008 presidential race and Americans' high interest in health care appears to be setting the table for reform in 2009. "With small-business [employees] making up the largest segment of the uninsured population, it is critically important for small business to have a seat at that table." The NFIB principles can be accessed online (link).
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2008/01/07/gvbf0107.htm.
