Charlie Rose is having a panel discussion about today’s Health Care Summit. Members of the panel include: Dona Shalala, Bill Frist, Joseph Califano, Mark Halpern, and Ezra Klein. They discussed how there is commonality of goals in addressing health care reforms but Republicans couldn’t support these changes. Mark Halpern made a statement to the effect that there were Republican members of the Senate who would have compromised on the merits of the bill, but couldn’t bend to political pressure. Dona Shalala said, “We need a bill that covers people who are uninsured that eliminates preexisting conditions that gives people real access to medication. This bill covers every major issue that needs to be covered.”

I had all but abandoned this site because I thought this was kind of a done deal and we would be moving on to other issues. But it looks like we still have room to work together and put pressure on Congress to take action that works for our country. Joseph Califano describes how people were similarly worried when Medicare was approved in 1965. Change seems to always be accompanied by fear, but look how happy people are with Medicare today! We have the opportunity to make a difference for Americans by ensuring health care coverage for all Americans! Show your support and order your HealthStrong Wristband today!