AMA Recognizes The Uninsured As "Job 1"

Nov 16, 1999

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Richard Coorsh

November 16, 1999

(202) 824-1787

e-mail: rcoorsh@hiaa.org

The following statement was released today by Chip Kahn, president of the Health Insurance Association of America (HIAA):

We commend the American Medical Association (AMA) for working with interested parties in the health policy arena to develop principles to provide a road map for coverage for millions of uninsured Americans. Advocacy by prestigious organizations such as the AMA helps to assure that reducing the number of uninsured Americans truly is "job 1" – our nation’s most important domestic priority.

Also, we are pleased that the AMA is participating in "HealthCoverage 2000," a conference developed by HIAA, Families USA, and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. This important conference – scheduled for January 13, 2000, in Washington, DC – will jump-start public discourse by bringing together a number of diverse organizations to search for common ground to help reduce the number of Americans who lack health coverage.

The AMA’s principles are an important contribution because they indicate that the best way to increase coverage is to build upon what already works well. This is the guiding principle of "InsureUSA," HIAA’s plan to reduce the number of uninsured Americans by building upon the success of the employer-based health insurance system, and helping the poor afford coverage. We look forward to working with the AMA and other important organizations to find ways to provide health coverage to millions of Americans who desperately need it.

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