Press Releases

Jeanette Rishell Proposes Bold Plan To Fix Healthcare Crisis

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 27, 2009
Contact: Ilana Kaplan-Shain, 571-208-0394

Jeanette Rishell Proposes Bold Plan To Fix Healthcare Crisis

MANASSAS - Today Jeanette Rishell announced a plan to fix Virginia's ailing healthcare system by cutting costs, improving preventative care and expanding access to affordable coverage for Virginians children.

"Children are the most vulnerable members of our community," Rishell said. "We need leaders who will fight to ensure that every child has quality health care." Currently 172,000 children statewide lack health insurance, placing them at a higher risk for serious health problems like asthma and obesity.[1] Rishell plans to draft legislation to provide insurance coverage for all children in need.

Presently, upwards of 40% of insurance costs are administrative expenses.[2] Rishell plans to offer tax incentives for medical practices that invest in technology such as electronic medical charts that decrease administrative costs and thereby lower the overhead cost of a patient's care.

"Virginians are frustrated with an industry that charges more money for less coverage. Costs are so high that many families simply go without. I will fight hard to make sure our families have the coverage they need."

Rishell's plan emphasizes preventative care as a means to cut the skyrocketing costs of health insurance. In addition to providing access to cancer screenings, Rishell would sponsor legislation granting paid sick leave to hourly workers of companies with 100 or more employees.

"I lost a father to cancer, but thanks to good preventative treatment my mother was diagnosed early and able to live well into her 90s," Rishell said. "Virginians need access to screenings so we can catch the disease early, save lives and cut costs."

[1] http://www.childrenshealthcampaign.org/assets/pdf/Uninsured-Minority-Kids-at-Risk.pdf