March 10, 2009 DHH Secretary Levine testifies before health subcommittee of the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee

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WASHINGTON, D.C.-Louisiana Department of Health Secretary Alan Levine testified today before the Subcommittee on Health of the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Energy and Commerce calling for a “systemic reform of health care” and “every American having access to affordable health insurance.”

 

Maintaining that America’s “health enterprise is full of success stories and miracles borne through innovation and the compassionate touch of millions of professionals,” Levine said covering the uninsured by simply expanding government programs like Medicaid and Medicare without structural reforms could make the state of health care worse. According to several reports, as much as 30 percent of what America spends on health care does nothing to improve outcomes and as much as 10 percent of spending in Medicaid is fraud, waste and abuse.

 

To improve prevention, manage chronic illnesses, and reduce fraud and waste, Levine said the right reforms will:

 

Levine’s full testimony is attached.  Click here to download full testimony.

 

Levine, who has served two states as health secretary and operated public and private hospitals and health systems, was joined by a number of national health care experts, including:

 

Today’s hearing kicked off a series of the Subcommittee on Health on “Making Health Care Work for American Families” and explored making the health system work better and designing a high performing health care system.

 

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Surgeon General Ralph L. Abraham, M.D.

Interim Secretary Drew Maranto

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