Health care reform advocates honor Massa
Elmira Star-Gazette
Elmira, NY
By Jeff Murray
jdmurray@gannett.com
Local health care reform advocates Monday pushed for national legislation and also presented Rep. Eric Massa, D-Corning, with their “Golden Stethoscope Award” for his support of national health care reform.
Citizen Action of New York released a new report Monday indicating that consolidation in the private health insurance industry is creating skyrocketing premiums for both patients and employers.
Between 2000 and 2007, health insurance premiums increased more than seven times faster than wages of New York’s working families, said Eileen Hamlin, chairwoman of Citizen Action of New York of the Southern Tier.
“When a couple of companies hold a near-monopoly, they not only set the prices, but they also make the rules and call the shots,” Hamlin said. “Private health insurance companies have proven year after year that they’ll do whatever they want when left to their own devices. It’s time for real comprehensive reform that includes regulation and the choice of a public health insurance plan, so we are no longer at the mercy of the private health insurers in New York state.”
Health insurance premiums have gone up an average of more than 87 percent nationwide over the past six years, the report said.
Members of Citizen Action of New York held a brief ceremony Monday at Wisner Park in Elmira to present Massa with his award.
The freshman representative promised that Congress would take definitive action on health care initiatives this year.
“We will have a major health reform bill pass Congress before Thanksgiving, and it will contain a public health option,” Massa said. “I and over 100 members of Congress are dedicated to making sure there is a viable, competitive Medicare-for-all option. I ask you to become activists in this. Providing adequate, quality health care to everyone is job No. 1.”