Blue Cross And Blue Shield Association Applauds President Obama For Making National Healthcare Reform A Top Priority
Statement from Scott P. Serota, president and CEO, Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association
February 24, 2009
WASHINGTON – In response to President Obama's address to Congress tonight, Scott P. Serota, president and chief executive officer of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association (BCBSA), issued the following statement:
"President Obama tonight correctly diagnosed many of the problems facing the U.S. healthcare system and our economy. We appreciate the president's efforts to find common ground and pledge to work cooperatively to enact comprehensive healthcare reform.
"Effective healthcare reform will mean access to better care for more Americans while at the same time reining in costs for families and businesses struggling to pay their bills.
"Building upon the employer-based system, which covers more than 160 million Americans, we can reduce the number of uninsured. We must encourage research on what works and get that information into the hands of doctors and patients, change incentives to promote better care instead of paying for more services, and encourage prevention and wellness. These are critical steps that the 39 independent Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies are already taking in their local communities.
"We look forward to collaborating with the administration and Congress to pursue meaningful reforms that will improve access to quality, affordable coverage."
The Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association is a national federation of 39 independent, community-based and locally operated Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies that collectively provide healthcare coverage for 100 million members - one-in-three Americans. For more information on the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association and its member companies, please visit www.BCBS.com.
