Lamont Discusses Health Care Vision in Bridgeport
Lamont Discusses Health Care Vision in Bridgeport
For 18 Years Lieberman Has Been Missing in Action on Health Care
(Bridgeport) - America is facing the greatest health care crisis in generations. More than 46 million Americans lack insurance, including one in ten Connecticut residents, and insurance costs have more than doubled since President Bush took office, bankrupting businesses and families across the country.
Democratic Nominee for US Senate Ned Lamont is going to bring his business knowledge and experience to Washington to demand results. Today he discussed his plan to provide universal health care with staff and patients, while touring the Optimus Healthcare Center in Bridgeport, where he was joined by State Senator Ed Gomes, D-23, and Bridgeport Board of Education member Max Medina.
"Health care is a basic human right," said Lamont. "If we continue to ignore this crisis, our families and our businesses will go broke, too many Americans will needlessly go without the care they need, and we will lose our competitive position in the world.
"Washington has been asleep at the switch," he added. "It's time for leadership in Washington that demands results. When it comes to the health of our citizens, I will always be there to do my job and put Connecticut's interests first."
Lamont's health care plan increases access to health care and reduces the cost by requiring employers to provide insurance while letting people and businesses pool together to negotiate lower rates. As part of his health plan, Lamont also calls for changes to the Medicare Part D prescription drug program, including allowing the government to negotiate drug prices and closing the financial "donut hole" so that seniors can continue to afford the care they need.
"For 18 years Senator Lieberman has talked a good game on healthcare but has been missing in action when it comes to getting anything done," said Liz Dupont-Diehl, Lamont's Communications Director. "He played a crucial role in killing health care reform in the 1990's and missed many key votes on this issue. Lamont is running to bring change and results to Washington; it will not take him 18 years to support universal health care."
Optimus Healthcare, formerly Bridgeport Community Health Center, is a group of community health centers that has been in existence since 1976, now with 10 centers in Bridgeport, Stamford and Stratford that provide pediatric, dental, behavioral health, ob/gyn, and general medical services. They are truly a safety-net provider for the community30-40% of their patients do not have health insurance. Further, they are affiliated with several homeless shelters and provide care to those residents as well. With over 240 staff (administrators, MDs, dentists, MSWs, psychologists, and a midwife) they serve about 31,000 individual patients annually, about 130,000 visits, making this the largest primary care center in the state.
http://nedlamont.com/news/1488/lamont-discusses-health-care-vision-in-bridgeport