San Francisco Chronicle: A New Momentum for Health Care Reform

From The San Francisco Chronicle: The prospects for comprehensive health reform seemed dim for the foreseeable future when the California legislature failed last year to pass the universal coverage plan sponsored by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and former Assembly Speaker Fabian Núñez.

But today there is renewed hope as a national movement for health care reform is emerging in Washington, D.C. President-elect Barack Obama, congressional leaders and a growing number of business and provider groups have acknowledged the urgency and importance of providing health coverage to everyone, despite the alarming economic problems facing the country.

Obama has stated repeatedly that we can't solve our economic problems without reforming the health care system. Why? Because by guaranteeing that every person has health care coverage, we can improve health care quality and reduce costs over the long term. Preventive care, better management of chronic disease and expanded use of health information technology are all made easier if everyone has coverage.

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