Coalition to Control Spending with Care - July 29, 2011

"The doctor told me that I had lung cancer and was dying," says Sandy Hepler of Jackson County, Tennessee. "With the help of the Tennessee Health Care Campaign, I was able to qualify for SSI and get TennCare and treatment. Months and maybe years have been added to my life. There is more work that I must do before I die. To me, TennCare is the embodiment of compassion. I am so grateful that TennCare would help an old man like me. TennCare has saved my life," says Sandy.

Calls are needed daily from now until August 2

Thirty-four prominent organizations (34) have signed on as Partners to the Coalition to Control Spending with Care. These organization either represent or care for millions of Tennesseans. Click here for a complete list of the 34 Partners.

Ask Congress to protect low-income seniors, people who are disabled, and children as they move forward to fix the country's debt problem. It took years to create this problem and it will take just as long and longer to fix it. Call toll-free 1-866-922-4970 to talk with a capitol operator and ask to be connected with your U.S. Senator and Congressperson.

Stories like Sandy's above help the public understand what cuts mean. Click here for some additional real stories, real people.

To watch a YouTube video of a person with Intellectual Disabilities and how cuts could hurt them, click here. Join the discussion on FaceBook.

You will need to call 1-866-922-4970 three times to talk with U.S. Senator Alexander, Senator Corker, and your member of Congress. Click here for the email explaining why it is important for you to make the call. Click here for talking points, and click here for a copy of the newspaper AD that will appear in major newspapers on Thursday.

The Tennessee Health Care Campaign with the Tennessee Hospital Association has led the effort to create the Coalition to Control Spending With Care.

We have come together around a brief, yet important, statement:

"Controlling healthcare spending over the long run is critical in securing our country’s financial future. However, a narrow focus on just federal health spending will cause serious harm to Medicare and Medicaid patients and their families, while placing tremendous financial pressure on states and
providers. Instead, the patient must be at the center of the discussion, and the focus must be on the drivers of healthcare spending.

Public policy should be aimed directly at:

• reducing clinically avoidable spending in public insurance programs;
• increasing patient-centered, integrated and coordinated care;
• aligning provider incentives to achieve the best long term outcomes for patients; and
• improving administrative efficiency and ensuring adequate coverage across the board for patients.

These policies would yield powerful cost reductions at all levels of care. It is critical that we all work together to produce a sensible solution to the issue."

Call your two U.S. Senators and your member of congress today: 1-866-922-4970