Non-Partisan Group Applauds GOP's Focus in Health Care Platform
Praises RNC's calls for better prevention and management of costly chronic illnesses
St. Paul, Minnesota (September 3, 2008) - The Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease (PFCD) applauds the Republican National Committee’s decision to make chronic disease prevention and management a central tenet of its health care reform proposals outlined in its recently released party platform.
"I commend the Republican Party for stepping forward to support a common-sense agenda for change in health care," said PFCD Executive Director, Ken Thorpe. "Chronic illnesses cost Americans far too much -- in health care spending, and lost lives and suffering -- and it is time for our nation to take action to address this largely preventable crisis."
For the first time, this year's GOP platform recommends lowering health care costs by focusing on chronic disease prevention and management as a means to control costs and improve both quality and access in our health care system.
Chronic diseases "are driving health care costs, consuming three of every four health care dollars," the GOP Platform notes, saying "We can reduce demand for medical care by fostering personal responsibility within a culture of wellness, while increasing access to preventive services."
Last week, the Democratic Party released a platform at its national convention that also, for the first time, touted the benefits of a focus on prevention in health care.
"It's encouraging to see that both the Republic and Democratic Parties are recognizing the magnitude of this problem, and its links to other health care concerns," said Thorpe, who noted that the PFCD has been reaching out to leaders of both parties to ensure that this issue is a focal point in discussions of health care reform.
Chronic diseases, such as diabetes, heart disease, and cancer, areresponsiblefor seven out of 10 deaths and 75 percent of every health care dollar spentin the U.S. These are conditions that could either be effectively prevented or minimized through simple, low-cost disease prevention and management programs, which would eliminate, not just shift, costs from the U.S. health care system.
 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
For more information about the PFCD and its partner organizations, please visit: http://www.fightchronicdisease.org.
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