Covering The Uninsured Should Be Top Healthcare Priority

Statement from Scott P. Serota, president and CEO, Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association

April 25, 2008

WASHINGTON – In recognition of Cover the Uninsured Week, April 27-May 3, Scott P. Serota, president and chief executive officer of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association (BCBSA), issued the following statement:

"The Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies believe that everyone should have health insurance.  Unfortunately, rising healthcare costs have made coverage unaffordable for too many of our citizens, and we need to take action now to improve our healthcare delivery system and to address cost and quality.

"That's why the Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies recently announced a comprehensive five-point plan – 'The Pathway to Covering America' – to build on the employer-based system and improve quality, rein in costs and expand coverage to all Americans.  The Pathway plan lays out detailed recommendations to change the incentives in today's delivery system to help assure high-quality, affordable care and offers solutions to expand access to coverage.

"The Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies encourage policymakers to make healthcare reform the nation's top domestic priority.  We look forward to working with other stakeholders to enact comprehensive reform to make health coverage more accessible and more affordable for all Americans."

More information about BCBSA's "The Pathway to Covering America," can be found online at www.bcbs.com/pathwayreport.  Information about Cover the Uninsured Week may be found at www.covertheuninsured.org.