Group Calls for Candidates to Address Health Care in Debates
Warns Health Care System Could be Next Meltdown
WASHINGTON, D.C. (Sept. 26, 2008) - In order to continue to bring attention to the crisis of chronic disease and its impact on the financial viability of the health care system, the Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease (PFCD) is actively engaged in efforts on these issues around the presidential debates.
"Given recent economic developments, it is more important than ever for the presidential candidates to address not only the affordability of health care, but also the economic solvency of our health care system," said Ken Thorpe, PFCD Executive Director. "The PFCD will be present at all the presidential and vice presidential debates to remind the candidates and the media that health care is an even larger impending crisis which cannot be ignored -- and that chronic illnesses represent the biggest cost driver in the system."
The PFCD will officially sponsor all three presidential debates: the Sept. 26 debate at Ole Miss, the Oct. 7 debate at Belmont University and the Oct. 15 debate at Hofstra University. The PFCD will not be sponsoring the Oct. 8 vice presidential debate in St. Louis, but will hold activities around the debate and plans to have a visual presence with supporters and partners sporting PFCD t-shirts and signs.
The group is also encouraging its member organizations to reach out to their constituents to submit video questions for the Town Hall debate at Belmont University, asking the presidential candidates how they will make health reform - and specifically a focus on chronic disease and prevention - a priority in their Administration.
The PFCD recently commended both the Democratic and Republican Party Committees, and the respective candidates, for including the issue of chronic disease in their health care platforms.
Every year the United States spends over $2 trillion - 16 percent of its GDP - on health care. Chronic diseases, such as cancer, diabetes, and heart disease, account for 75 percent of every health care dollar spent in the U.S. These are conditions that, with proper early intervention, diet, and exercise, could be prevented, delayed, or minimized. More than 130 million Americans today have a chronic disease.
About the Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease:
The PFCD is a national coalition of more than 100 patient, provider, community, business and labor groups, committed to raising awareness of the number one cause of death, disability, and rising health care costs in the U.S.: poorly prevented and mismanaged chronic disease.
The PFCD's mission is to:
- Challenge policymakers - in particular, the 2008 presidential candidates - to make fighting chronic disease a top priority and discuss how they will address it in their health care proposals
- Educate the public about chronic disease and potential solutions for individuals, communities, and the nation
- Mobilize Americans to call for change in how policymakers, governments, employers, health institutions, and other entities approach chronic disease
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