ScienceDaily (Sep. 25, 2008) — The American Heart Association has just unveiled six principles on healthcare reform as the presidential candidates begin a series of debates, the first scheduled for Friday, Sept. 26, at the University of Mississippi. With a vision of a stronger healthcare system, the association’s 2008 Statement of Principles on Health Care Reform outlines critical issues that must be addressed to ensure high-quality, affordable healthcare for all Americans.

“We are committed to approaching healthcare reform from the perspective of the patient,” said Daniel W. Jones, M.D., Immediate Past-President of the American Heart Association and Vice Chancellor of the University of Mississippi. “The goal is to create a dialogue among our elected officials, particularly focusing on the needs of individuals who have or are at risk for cardiovascular disease and stroke.”

The following principles are included in the association’s statement:

• All residents of the United States should have meaningful, affordable healthcare coverage;
• Preventive benefits should be an essential component of meaningful healthcare coverage;
• All residents of the United States should receive affordable, high-quality healthcare;
• Race, gender and geographic disparities in healthcare must be eliminated;
• Support of biomedical and health services research should be a national priority;
• The United States healthcare workforce should continue to grow and diversify through a sustained and substantial national commitment to medical education and clinical training.

The complete statement, to be published in Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association within the next week, will be shared with top business, government and health leaders convening for a special program on healthcare reform hosted by the American Heart Association and the University of Mississippi. The group will examine the nation’s health care system during the program, “Reinventing Health Care,” slated for 7-9 p.m. CDT Wednesday, Sept. 24 in Fulton Chapel at the University of Mississippi. A live webcast can be viewed at http://www.americanheart.org.

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The above story is reprinted from materials provided by American Heart Association.

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