|
|
Health Care Reform The Affordable Care Act expands health insurance coverage for millions of patients and will increase access to health services and treatments. Provisions in the new law must be implemented with the goal of improving patient access to quality services and treatments. Pfizer supports more predictable access to quality health care coverage for patients who rely on our medicine to improve and extend their lives. We actively supported parts of health care reform with which agreed, and will continue to support these provisions and seek to improve those elements with which we disagree. Pfizer will advance the development of policies that preserve the integrity of the doctor-patient relationship, freedom of choice when determining appropriate medicines, and continued incentives for innovation. Background Signed into law in March 2010, the Affordable Care Act (ACA)1 was the end result of a national and congressional debate focused on two primary goals: expanding access to quality affordable health insurance and minimizing growth in health care spending. Supporters of health care reform and ACA noted throughout the debate that millions of Americans, including both the uninsured and many "underinsured" citizens, are unable to obtain quality care and medically necessary treatments due in part to the high cost of health insurance coverage. Under ACA, affordable access to insurance will be provided through new health insurance exchanges, co-ops, Medicaid expansion, new subsidies, and individual and employer mandates. The law also establishes a number of new programs that seek to slow the growth of health care spending— including payment reforms that reduce inefficient spending and reimburse based on the quality of patient outcomes and performance rather than just on the quantity of services rendered. The main points of discussion in advance of ACA passage were the cost of the reform, the impact on the quality of patient care and outcomes, and its population-wide impact. The law and its true impact will continue to evolve as it is implemented over the next ten years and many of the details for the implementation of ACA are yet to be finalized through the regulatory process. Keeping cost, quality and health impact in the forefront while developing guidance will help ensure that the goals are met. Key Facts and Figures
Pfizer's Position Pfizer believes that every American should have access to affordable, quality health care, and, by supporting reform efforts, we are committed to help ensure this outcome. By controlling costs and extending health coverage to millions of Americans, the Affordable Care Act takes important first steps toward addressing many of the problems facing the U.S. health care system. Pfizer recognizes that some provisions within the new law could be implemented, in ways which are disadvantageous for some patients, and we are committed to working with policymakers, health care professionals, and patients to bring about cost-effective policies that preserve the doctor-patient relationship, choice of treatments and incentives for innovation to ensure we deliver on the promise to find tomorrow's cures. Of critical importance, ACA provisions should not be used as a measure to ration care or allow treatment decisions to be made solely on the basis of cost. How Patients and Health Care Professionals Benefit How the Health Care System Benefits What It Means for Pfizer |
