BALCONY - Business and Labor Coalition of New York

BALCONY Health Care Petition

BALCONY, the Business and Labor Coalition of New York, strongly urges the New York State Assembly and Senate to heed BALCONY’s Seven Principles for Affordable Health Care during the ongoing “Partnership for Change” hearings. These forums on health care insurance reform have been organized by the New York State Departments of Health and Insurance and are being presented around the state. 2.7 million uninsured New York State residents can no longer act as brakes on the New York State economy or be allowed to compromise the competitiveness of many small businesses throughout the state.

The strength of New York’s economy and the functioning of our health care system are severely compromised because there are 2.7 million New York State residents without health coverage. Beyond the already considerable cost of uncompensated care provided by doctors and hospitals, billions more are needed to provide full health care coverage to the uninsured. Inaction is costly, creating poorer health for the uninsured, diminished productivity, and broader negative social consequences to affected families and our New York economy. This lack of coverage also has a ripple effect on the cost of health care for those New Yorkers with insurance.

BALCONY represents over five hundred businesses, labor unions, and trade associations statewide, and strongly urges Governor David Paterson, Health Commissioner Richard F. Daines, M.D., and Insurance Superintendent Eric Dinallo, along with the Assembly and Senate, to use these Principles as guidelines for discussion and for meaningful reform of our current, inadequate, system. The Seven Principles were devised by BALCONY board members after listening to concerns and viewpoints from representatives of the health care industry, medical economists, small business owners, and patient advocates during forums BALCONY has held, and continues to hold, across the state.

Sign the Petition to tell Governor Paterson and the State Legislature to use the BALCONY Principles to create an Affordable Health Care Program for NYS.

After reviewing the Seven Principles, please sign the petition below if you believe, as BALCONY does, that there is no more critical issue than Affordable Health Care for All New Yorkers facing our elected state representatives.

BALCONY agrees that action at the federal level is needed to fully address the problems with our health care system. Meanwhile, the states must do as much as possible to ensure that their residents have access to affordable, quality health care.

BALCONY 7-PRINCIPLES FOR AFFORDABLE HEALTH CARE INITIATIVE

Universality - All New Yorkers should be covered through a health care program, with insurance of some kind. People with pre-existing conditions must not be denied coverage or discriminated against. Coverage should be considered a RIGHT.
Affordability - The insurance access system must be affordable for businesses (large and small), public sector employers, unions, individuals and families. This means premiums, co-pays and deductibles that are reasonable, and based on ability to pay.
Administrative Simplicity and Transparency - The current system is plagued by costly and confusing barriers to enrollment, payment and basic care. These barriers impact patients, employers and providers. The system must be made easier to work with for all who interface with it.
Adequacy - Coverage must be adequate to care for people’s needs, including primary and preventive care, as well as quality chronic and acute care coverage.
Efficiency - Savings must be achieved through more efficient use of resources, such as adoption of a system of electronic medical records, bulk drug purchasing and reduction of waste.
Quality - Ensure and improve the quality of care at all levels of health care and for all recipients.
Eliminate Disparities - Eliminate disparities in health care services and discriminatory health care practices.