UnitedHealth Group Statement on Health Care Modernization
WASHINGTON, DC (Feb. 26, 2009) – UnitedHealth Group President and CEO Stephen J. Hemsley released the following statement commenting on health care modernization:
“Under the leadership of the President and the Congress significant and positive steps have been made in a short period of time -- through passage of the CHIP and economic recovery legislation -- to address the immediate health care needs for many Americans during the current financial crisis. It is important we continue to thoughtfully build on this foundation for more comprehensive advancements going forward. The federal budget released today by President Obama begins a new and important phase of the national dialogue to modernize our health care system.
“As the discussion of health reform intensifies in the coming weeks and months, UnitedHealth Group believes there are key attributes of a modernized health system that must be considered, they include: a strengthened employer-based system for the more than 160 million Americans who receive health coverage through their jobs; thoughtful reforms of the individual and small employer insurance markets; and, tightly targeted public subsidies to support coverage expansions for low-income individuals. For coverage expansions to be sustainable, the modernization of our health care system must also simultaneously address issues of the cost and quality of health care delivery. We must look to modernize Medicare so it can serve as a model for a health care system that efficiently and effectively delivers quality and affordable care. Efforts to enhance Medicare must continue to support and strengthen the comprehensive benefits and services currently provided to more than 40 million beneficiaries.
“Recognizing the complexity of the challenge before us, UnitedHealth Group looks forward to contributing our experience, knowledge, and resources to the national discussion so we achieve the ultimate goal -- access to quality and affordable health care for every American.”
About UnitedHealth Group
UnitedHealth Group is a diversified health and well-being company dedicated to making health care work better. Headquartered in Minneapolis, Minn., UnitedHealth Group offers a broad spectrum of products and services through six operating businesses: UnitedHealthcare, Ovations, AmeriChoice, OptumHealth, Ingenix, and Prescription Solutions. Through its family of businesses, UnitedHealth Group serves more than 70 million individuals nationwide.
