Press Releases
Press Release- March 2009
Local Physicians Meet with Members of Congress to Advocate for HealthCare Reform
A group of osteopathic physicians will head to Washington D.C. to meet with Senators Snowe and Collins and Representatives Michaud and Pingree. The group will be meeting with the legislative representatives to discuss escalating costs of health care, high insurance premiums and the need for comprehensive health care reform that will provide quality medical care and improved patient outcomes.
In President Obama’s recent address to the nation, he outlined his priorities and initiatives emphasizing three areas: Energy, Education and Health Care. Calling for major reform of the health care system now, not later, the President presented the opportunity for participation for all stakeholders in the design and structure of the changes that he feels are absolutely necessary to maintain America as a nation concerned for the welfare of it citizens and our competitiveness in the world market.
The new administration provides the opportunity for us to move the United States from first in the world in health care expenditures, yet 37th in overall health care outcomes, to the world leader in both in the next decade.
This is why Maine Osteopathic physicians, residents and students from the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine will travel to Washington D.C. as part of D.O. Day on the Hill on Thursday, March 5th.
“Over 30 representatives from Maine will join hundreds of others in Washington D.C. to meet with members of Congress. The goal is to ensure the message of health care reform that focuses on high quality patient care and better outcomes, not just cost savings, is heard,” explains Angela Westhoff, Executive Director of the Maine Osteopathic Association.
The association’s President-elect, Joel A. Kase, D.O., M.P.H. adds, “We will be working hard to ensure health care reform also includes primary care and prevention. We need to focus on patient-centered systems that will advance cost reductions and improve the quality of care. Expanding access and providing health insurance is important; however, that alone will not accomplish the long term goal of better care and healthier patients.”
Osteopathic physicians are fully trained and licensed physicians that practice all aspects of medicine. The Maine Osteopathic Association represents nearly 400 Osteopathic physicians in Maine. For more information, call 207-623-1101.
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