Press Release: GOP Health Care Expert Mark McClellan Calls on GOP Candidates to Discuss Chronic Disease at South Carolina Debate
Chronic Disease Accounts for 7 in 10 Deaths and 75 Cents of Every Dollar Spent on Health Care in the U.S
-- Centers for Disease Control, Accessed April 6, 2007 (www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/overview.htm)
WASHINGTON, D.C. (May 15, 2007) - Former Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Mark McClellan, M.D. made the following statement today on behalf of the national bipartisan coalition, Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease.
"Tonight, Republican Presidential candidates have an opportunity to take on the issue that accounts for 70% of deaths and 75% of health care costs in the U.S. - chronic disease. This is the single largest cause of death and health care costs, and there are more opportunities than ever to improve prevention and treatment of chronic diseases. Along with our growing ranks of grassroots partners around the country, I look forward to hearing from the candidates tonight about saving lives and lowering costs through better care for chronic diseases," said Dr. McClellan.
About the Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease
The Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease (PFCD) is a national coalition of patients, providers, community organizations, business and labor groups, and health policy experts committed to raising awareness of the number one cause of death, disability, and rising health care costs in the U.S.: chronic disease.
The PFCD's mission is to:
- Challenge policymakers - in particular, the 2008 presidential candidates - to make the issue of chronic disease a top priority and articulate how they will address the issue through their health care proposals
- Educate the public about chronic disease and potential solutions for individuals, communities, and the nation
- Mobilize Americans to call for change in how policymakers, governments, employers, health institutions, and other entities approach chronic disease
Leaders in the effort represent more than 50 leading organizations from across health care, business and labor including Aetna, American Academy of Family Physicians, Alliance for Aging Research, American Academy of Physician Assistants, American College of Nurse Practitioners, American College of Preventive Medicine, American Hospital Association, American Pharmacists Association Foundation, Disease Management Association of America, Kerr Drug, Integrated Benefits Institute, International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association, NAACP, Milken Institute, National Association of Manufacturers, National Medical Association, Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, Service Employees International Union, Sheet Metal Workers International Association, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and YMCA of the USA, among others.
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