SAN FRANCISCO—Dr. Stuart Bussey said he has watched in dismay as health insurance companies have marched into medical communities like the 15th Century conquistadores into the New World.
"They [health insurance companies] make it difficult for me as a doctor to practice medicine, and make it difficult for you as a patient to get the cure you need," said Bussey at the steps of San Francisco City Hall on Tuesday.
Bussy, a member of the Union of American Physicians and Dentists, represents one of a number of organizations that led citizens in 52 cities across the United States yesterday, including 37 state capitals, in launching a new national campaign that calls for quality and affordable health care for all.
The event organizers say the campaign offers a bold new vision for health care reform. Their vision is that, besides private insurance, citizens will be able to obtain public health coverage plans, and new rules will be enforced on the insurance industry. New rules would stop insurance companies from charging high deductibles, denying coverage based on pre-existing conditions, or simply dropping coverage when people get sick.
"Health care is the most talked about, most needed, but least acted upon issue in America today," said San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom.
Statistics show that about 47 million Americans live currently in the United States without health insurance. This number however is expected to reach or exceed 52 million by 2010. Insurance premiums charged by the insurance companies are going up, whereas wages are flat or declining, hence people have a gap in terms of their ability to fund their basic health insurance, according to campaign organizers.
"We spend more than any other rich nation in the world on healthcare. We are paying 35 to 36 percent in administrative premiums," Newsom said.
The campaign, Health Care for America Now, was launched by a coalition of over 100 national and local groups that represent labor communities, doctors, nurses, small business, faith-based organizations, and think tanks. Starting Tuesday, organizers will spend $40 million for print, television, and online commercials to push for nation-wide affordable healthcare reform.
"We see an opportunity in 2009 with the new president and a new congress in Washington D.C., as well as the government of California State to continue to pursue the reform," said Anthony Wright from Health Access California.
The campaign is a broad coalition of nonprofit and political organizations, but receives financial support from each of the 13 committee members, as well as a $10 million grant from New York-based Atlantic Philanthropies.
"This is the year in which Americans decide whether they will continue to be at the mercy of the private healthcare industry that puts profits before health," said Giselle Quezada board member of Association of Community Organizations.
"We want to cut 'the middle man' out of the system. Our vision is quality up and cost down."
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