For Immediate Release:
October 2, 2008

Contact: George Manahan
P: (304) 343-2800

Coalition of West Virginians seeks to promote
Health Care Reform
New poll shows 88% of state residents support reform.

(Charleston, W.Va.) — More than 30 business, labor, health care advocacy and health care provider groups, several of which have worked at opposite ends of political issues in the past, have come together to form a coalition to promote health care reform in West Virginia.

West Virginians' Campaign for a Healthy Future was formed because West Virginia faces a crisis in its health care system and reform is needed. Recent figures indicate that as many as 240,000 state residents are without health insurance. The group kicked off its efforts at a news conference in Charleston on Thursday.

"The only way that West Virginia is going to pass health care reform is if we all work together," said George Manahan, the Campaign's Executive Director. "Through this Coalition and the efforts of the legislature and Governor, we have a unique opportunity during the upcoming legislative session to begin the process of health care reform."

The state legislature is working on health care reform, and there is reason to believe there will be legislation in the 2009 session. In addition, Governor Manchin says one of his priorities continues to be to provide health care to every working West Virginian.

A recent poll commissioned by West Virginians' Campaign for a Healthy Future and conducted by nationally-recognized Global Strategy Group shows that 88 % of West Virginians support health care reform that would guarantee access to quality health care coverage to all West Virginia residents; 62% support "major reform" or "complete overhaul" of the state's health care system.

"The findings of the poll clearly show that West Virginians want health care reform to guarantee access to quality health care for all," said Jefrey Pollack, president, Global Strategy Group. The poll interviewed 625 West Virginians in August.

· 60% rate the state's health care system as not so good or poor.

· 45% are very worried about having to pay more for health care.

· 40% are very worried they won't be able to pay medical bills for serious injury.

· One in three (33%) low-income residents has not gone to the doctor because of cost in the past year.

· In the last year, one in five (19%) has not gone to see a doctor because there was no physician available in their area.

· 52% of West Virginians want top priority to be reducing the cost (35%) or improving quality of health care (17%)

· The strongest message for health care reform: "West Virginia's health care must be a responsibility shared by individuals, businesses and government. Nobody gets a free rise, but everyone gets the health care coverage he or she deserves."

The Campaign has undertaken a three week newspaper advertising campaign and has launched a website (www.wvhealthyfuture.com) in an effort to encourage people to join. The Campaign is currently made up of 37 member organizations, including business, labor, health care providers, and organizations that promote health care.

"West Virginians' Campaign for a Healthy Future believes that reform can only be accomplished if everyone participates in the solution—that means individuals, businesses and government all sharing the responsibility for a health care system that provides access to high quality health care and coverage for everyone in the state," said AARP State President Ruth Wagner.

"The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) and its member companies are proud to stand with such a broad alliance of West Virginians in a campaign to win passage of legislation to assure that the medical care needs of all state residents are met through all stages of their lives," said Ken Johnson, PhRMA Senior Vice President.

"Business and labor share this burden," said West Virginia AFL-CIO President Kenny Perdue. "It is very important that the two are working together in this coalition to solve the problem."

The Campaign will support legislation that meets its eight standards of health care reform, including providing all West Virginians with access to high quality health care and coverage on a continuous basis. The group also believes that there must be an effort to contain health care costs and that any additional costs "must be shared by individuals, business and government."

To learn more about the campaign, see detailed poll results, and sign up to join the campaign,
visit www.wvhealthyfuture.com.