Archive for the ‘Put Patients First’ Category

National Health Council Applauds New Regulations

Thursday, July 22, 2010

The National Health Council (NHC) released the following statement in support of today’s White House announcement of new federal regulations to strengthen patients’ rights to appeal health insurance denials. The following statement is from Myrl Weinberg, President of the NHC:

 

People with chronic conditions make up the largest segment of users of health care in this country. They require care and treatment that will allow them to live the healthiest, most productive lives possible. It is essential that they be able to obtain and retain coverage and care that meet their individual health care needs.

 

The steps taken today by the Obama Administration will provide patients with an understandable, predictable internal and external appeals process. It’s the right thing to do. It’s a fair solution for patients — particularly those living with chronic diseases and disabilities.

We are also pleased that $30 million has been allocated for strengthening state-based consumer assistance offices. This is a critical step to improving patient awareness of their rights.


The regulations can be viewed at http://www.ofr.gov/OFRUpload/OFRData/2010-18043_PI.pdf.

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NHC President Myrl Weinberg on Clinical Trials

Tuesday, April 27, 2010


The following question and answer interview with NHC President Myrl Weinberg appeared as a special feature in the Wall Street Journal on clinical trials.

 

Q. What is the largest barrier to increasing patient participation?

 

A. Individuals simply aren’t asked. Many organizations have done outstanding work to educate people about the importance of participating in clinical trials. We need greater support from both the public and private sectors to encourage participation.

 

Q. How can we best ensure the safety and cost effectiveness of developing medical products?

 

A. The National Health Council represents the more than 133 million Americans with chronic diseases and disabilities. People place great hope that science can produce break-through treatments. Unfortunately, new discoveries are judged by old regulatory science. These new drugs that address unmet needs today become the lower-cost generic medicines of tomorrow.

 

Q. What is the biggest misconception about clinical research?

 

A. Clinical research is not just about the sick. We need more people—including people in good health—to participate in clinical trials. The core objective is the greater public good of expanding knowledge, not just finding new treatments or cures.

 

Click here to view the entire feature.

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The Real Truth about Health Care Reform

Thursday, September 3, 2009


There is no doubt that the intense debate surrounding health care reform has overwhelmed the nation and Congress over the past few months.  Rhetoric from both Republicans and Democrats, national media, activists, and others has been heated and misleading leaving Americans asking themselves, what is the real truth about health care reform?

To that end, the National Health Council seeks to shift the debate on health care in favor of rational discourse. These misleading and distorted claims lack any basis in the health reform proposals currently before Congress and threaten to derail efforts to improve our nation’s health care system. We must not lose sight of the overarching goal – to make health care first and foremost patient-focused.  Legislation must meet the 5 Principles for Putting Patients First.

The NHC has developed a resource you can use to find out the REAL truth about health care. You can read it by clicking here. We all need to be clear about what is actually being proposed so that we can ensure health care reform that Puts Patients First.   


Myrl Weinberg, CAE
President
National Health Council  

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