The campaign is done, and the pressure to reform healthcare has begun, with an emphasis on information technology and on health insurance for children.
A group of organizations that includes the Business Roundtable, the AARP, the National Federation of Independent Business and the Service Employees International Union are calling on President-elect Barack Obama to solve the healthcare and financial crises.
In an open letter that appeared in USA Today Tuesday and that is scheduled to appear in other media across the country in coming weeks, the groups urged the president-elect and Congress to build on the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), encourage preventive care and advance the adoption of healthcare information technology, among other reforms.
"Now that this grueling two-year campaign is over, the hardest work still lies ahead," said AARP executive vice president Nancy LeaMond.
"Our diverse coalition begins the march forward today, proving that Washington can overcome petty politics and find common ground on even the biggest issues."
The four organizations, representing large and small businesses, labor and seniors, along with more than 100 other organizations, have banded as one under the name Divided We Fail.
The group has asked Obama to tackle healthcare reform during his first 100 days in office, and it has committed to hosting a healthcare reform summit to help develop a plan.
"Addressing skyrocketing healthcare costs is a critical component of stabilizing household, national and global economies," the letter said. "Inaction undermines the economic security of our families; limits the productivity of our workforce; stagnates job creation and wage growth; and threatens to crowd out investments in energy, education and infrastructure."
"We stand ready to support you in a national effort to make access to quality, affordable healthcare a reality for all Americans," the letter added. "This foundation includes a focus on prevention and chronic care, gives patients more tools to manage their costs and builds a more sustainable healthcare system that consistently delivers values to all of us, which strengthens us as a nation."
Do you think pressure from business, industry and seniors could speed the move toward healthcare reform and adoption of healthcare IT? Send your comments to Bernie Monegain at bernie.monegain@medtechpublishing.com.