The Access to Health Care Working Group
works to expand access to health care for all. We advocate
for equitable pharmaceutical pricing which benefits both consumers
and shareholders. Within the group, an HIV/AIDS Caucus draws
particular attention to the unique challenges the HIV/AIDS-TB-Malaria
pandemics present to corporations and shareholders. Where
government does not fulfill its obligation to provide health
care, we encourage corporations to do so for employees and
their families.
Mission Statement
We believe that every person has the right
of access to health care and to an environment that supports
health and wellness. To that end we commit ourselves to advocate
for safe, therapeutically effective health products and services,
available to everyone at reasonable cost.
Health Care Reform in the US
The need for reform:
Since 2000, the number of uninsured has increased by more
than 20 percent, reaching 47 million in 2006. In addition,
rising health care costs are squeezing many middle-income
Americans with insurance, who report difficulties paying
medical bills due to a lack of adequate coverage. People
with low and moderate incomes are most at risk of lacking
coverage through an employer and most at risk of being uninsured.
They also spend the largest share of their incomes on premiums
and out-of-pocket health care costs. From the Commonweath Fund's Report, "Road to Health
Insurance for All: Principles of Health Care Reform"
The number of uninsured people in the United States continues
to escalate and the number of workers without employer-sponsored
insurance coverage has increased. The percentage of people
covered by employment-based health insurance has decreased
to 59.5 percent. From the U.S. Census Bureau report, "Income, Poverty,
and Health Insurance Coverage in the United States: 2005"
Call for corporate engagement
In the decade since the failure of the Clinton reform
plan, the faith community has continued to call for accessible
and affordable health care for all people in a just and
compassionate health care system. Recognizing that universal
access to healthcare is a societal good, serving the individual,
the common good and business, we have advocated for health
care form in the United States. As long-term institutional
investors we recognize the economic burden providing health
benefits for employees places on American corporations.
We believe it is in the economic interest of portfolio companies
to ensure that all Americans have access to healthcare that
is affordable and provided equitably.
Now, we are using the financial and moral power of faith-based
investors to encourage American business to also address
this issue. Shareholders interests and the public interest
here are aligned - we need comprehensive health care reform
in this country. We urge America's corporations to adopt
principles for comprehensive health care reform (such as
those based upon principles reported by the Institute of
Medicine:
1. Health care coverage should be universal.
2. Health care coverage should be continuous.
3. Health care coverage should be affordable to individuals
and families.
4. The health insurance strategy should be affordable and
sustainable for society.
5. Health insurance should enhance health and well being
by promoting access to high-quality care that is effective,
efficient, safe, timely, patient-centered, and equitable.
