John Kerry: “States like my home state of Massachusetts are setting an example for the rest of the country by taking bold steps to…”

“States like my home state of Massachusetts are setting an example for the rest of the country by taking bold steps to provide quality health coverage for everyone. Now it is time for Washington to do the same by bringing meaningful, affordable healthcare to the uninsured, in Massachusetts and across America. In Massachusetts there is still a major obstacle in the overall goal of universal coverage: cost. The fact is the problem of the uninsured can't be solved unless the issue of skyrocketing health costs to families and businesses is also tackled. And fully reforming the healthcare system will require that the Federal Government begin shouldering some of the burden to help alleviate costs. Healthcare costs are highly concentrated in this country. The very few who suffer from catastrophic illness or injury drive costs up for everyone. One percent of patients account for 25 percent of healthcare costs, and 20 percent of patients account for 80 percent of costs. To make healthcare more affordable, we must find a better way to share the immense burden of insuring the chronically ill and seriously injured.”