The Health Action Times
Washington, DC January 19-21, 2012
The Health Action Times
Washington, DC January 19-21, 2012
WASHINGTON, DC - Hundreds of the nation's most fervent health care advocates are convening in the nation's capitol at Health Action 2012, a conference designed to help move forward the goal of providing quality, affordable health care for all Americans.
The passage of the Affordable Care Act, or ACA, was a landmark moment in the push for Health Care Reform, but Families USA's Executive Director Ron Pollack hopes Health Action serves as a reminder that implementation is the next major step toward health care justice.
"A lot of work lies ahead for all of us," said Pollack. "We've got to make sure that the legislation gets implemented properly in states all across the country."
Speaking at the Health Action conference in 2011, President Barack Obama expressed his faith in the ability of the American people to move forward with necessary reforms.
"As vital as this reform is," said the President, "(and) as committed as we are to getting implementation right, to win the future in this new and changing world is going to require more from us. And I believe we are up to the task."
Implementation is not the only focus when it comes to the ACA, as political opponents seek to "repeal and replace" the hard-won legislation. Pollack says protecting the law is just as important as implementing it correctly.
"We've got to stop these terrible attacks, whether in the courtroom or in the political process so that the Affordable Care Act is not repealed or eviscerated."
The gathering, hosted by Families USA, is taking place at the Grand Hyatt on Capitol Hill and will feature appearances by prominent policy makers, researchers, and advocates. For more information on the activities and a schedule of events, please visit Conference Central.
Most major provisions of the Affordable Care Act will be enacted over the next couple of years. Find out more about what is on the horizon with our helpful implementation resources, including fact sheets, in-depth reports, and talking points.
Before implementation of the law can begin, we must first protect it from legal and political threats. Numerous states have challenged the law in the courts, and the Supreme Court is set to decide on the constitutionality of the law this year. Help make sure that our hard-won gains are not taken away by political opponents.
Established programs such as Medicare, Medicaid, and CHIP are not immune to attack. Under pressure to reduce government expenditures, some short-sighted politicians are taking aim at some of the most important social justice programs ever enacted in this country. Use our resources to make sure our opponents are unsucessful.
Proper implementation of the Affordable Care Act is the most important ingredient to achieving its goal of making sure that all Americans have access to health care, regardless of economic status or medical history. Use our resources and guides to make sure you are prepared for this next stage of our mission.
Racial and ethnic minorities in the U.S. are more likely to lack health insurance, receive lower-quality care, and suffer from worse health outcomes. These communities will benefit greatly from the Affordable Care Act, and it is imperative that they are fully informed and involved throughout the implementation process.
Health care costs are rapidly rising, and, as a result, many Americans can't afford the care they need. Find out how the Affordable Care Act addresses this problem, and learn about specific issues related to cost containment.