Joe Lieberman: “Today, I join a bipartisan group of Senators in support of the Healthy Americans Act. This legislation marks the…”

“Today, I join a bipartisan group of Senators in support of the Healthy Americans Act. This legislation marks the beginning of what I hope will be a growing bipartisan effort to address one of our most daunting domestic challenges--health care reform. Historically, the issue of health care and how to solve our growing crisis has divided us, but we must find a way to come together and provide leadership on an issue that is central to the lives and finances of millions of Americans. There are over 47 million uninsured people in America today; another 16 million are underinsured. Diminished health and shorter life spans due to lack of health insurance cost an estimated $65 to $130 billion annually. Meanwhile, an estimated $35 billion in uncompensated care is delivered to uninsured individuals annually. The ever-rising costs of health care are being felt by all Americans, not only those who are uninsured. When I speak to constituents in my home State of Connecticut, I am struck by the number of currently insured families who worry about maintaining that coverage. With premiums rising more rapidly than wages, it is increasingly difficult for these families to continue to afford their coverage. And the costs are certain to continue rising. Health spending between 2006 and 2015 will total $30.3 trillion and will grow at an average rate of 7.2 percent--2.3 percent higher than the average annual GDP growth rate.”