The California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS) today applauded Saturday’s action by the U.S. House of Representatives in approving sweeping health care reform, paving the way for the Senate to take up the legislation.
“This historic step sends a strong message that health care reform is on the horizon for America,” said Rob Feckner, President of the CalPERS Board of Administration that oversees the largest public pension fund and second-largest purchaser of health care in the nation. “There is still much work to be done in the Senate to make health care reform a reality this year, and we strongly urge everyone to work together.”
CalPERS strongly supports health care reform as rising health care costs outstrip the ability of purchasers, such as the pension fund, to provide this vital benefit to its members.
“It is critical that reforms should make health care more affordable for all Americans,” added Feckner. “We need innovative proposals to constrain costs, increase value and improve quality and efficiency in the health care system, and contain the growth of prescription drug costs.”
Feckner recognized the leadership role the California Congressional Delegation took in passage of the House bill on a 220-215 vote, singling out Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Henry Waxman, Education and Labor Committee Chairman George Miller, and Ways and Means Health Subcommittee Chairman Pete Stark.
CalPERS is a national leader in taking actions to moderate health care costs and has worked since 2002 through series of efforts through stronger negotiations with health plans and educating members on better health care practices to achieve for 2010 the lowest overall premium increase in 14 years – 2.9 percent.
For more information on CalPERS position on national health care reform visit CalPERSResponds.com.