Health Insurance Industry Hosts Roundtable Discussion on Health Care Reform in A...( Sixth stop on AHIP's listening to...),Health

Sixth stop on AHIP's listening tour; Reducing health disparities a key topic

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M., Sept. 9 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- America's Health Insurance Plans' (AHIP) Campaign for an American Solution today hosted a roundtable discussion in Albuquerque at which local government, business, health care and community leaders shared ideas about health care reform and reducing the disparities in care experienced by diverse communities.

"Reducing health care disparities needs to be a part of the health care reform discussion," said Karen Ignagni, President and CEO of AHIP. "In addition to offering reform proposals, health insurance plans are working with all stakeholders to close the gap in the quality of care experienced by culturally diverse populations across the country."

The roundtable discussion, which was held at the Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of Commerce, was the sixth stop on the listening tour of AHIP's Campaign for an American Solution, a new national grassroots and educational initiative to build support for workable health care reform based on core principles shared by the American people: coverage, affordability, quality, value, choice and portability.

"The Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of Commerce (AHCC), the Association of Commerce and Industry and the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce joined together to advocate a balanced solution to reducing the disparities in health care delivery. We see this event as an opportunity to continue the discussion around health care without endorsing one approach over another. In the end, our goal is to help find a way to reduce the costs for small businesses to provide quality care for all of their employees," said Alex Romero, President and CEO of the Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of Commerce.

Reducing health care disparities is a top priority in New Mexico, where chronic conditions such as diabetes disproportionately impact the state's Hispanic population. T
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