BALCONY Praises Obama Health Care Plan

• by BALCONY, Business and Labor Coalition of New York

NEW YORK, NY (09/10/2009)(readMedia)-- President Barack Obama's address to the nation is a clarion call for health care reform which has been a major focus of BALCONY's activities for the past 3 years. We applaud the President's clarity and determination to address the health care needs of all Americans," stated BALCONY Co-Chair for Labor Alan Lubin , Executive V.P. of NYSUT.

"As a coalition of Business and Labor, we are acutely aware of the needs of New York's small businesses which overwhelmingly want to provide health care coverage to their employees however many cannot afford to do so. At the same time, these businesses believe that a healthy workforce is vital to their continued productivity. The President's call for a health insurance exchange and a guarantee to offer competition through a public health care option for small businesses is key to covering the millions of uninsured, and helping small business owners. We agree with the President that health care costs need to be addressed to find savings for Business , Labor, and consumers," stated BALCONY Co-Chair for Business Bruce Ventimiglia, chairman , President and CEO Saratoga Capital Management, LLC.

"When BALCONY adopted its 7 Principles for Affordable Health Care in 2007 we encouraged lawmakers in New York State and in the Congress to adhere to the key issues of Universality, Affordability, Administrative Simplicity and Transparency, Adequacy, Efficiency, Quality, and the Elimination of Disparities. We are encouraged that President Obama is providing the leadership necessary to forge a consensus with Congress to include these BALCONY principles and finally enact a plan which can provide health care coverage for all Americans," concluded BALCONY Director Lou Gordon.

BALCONY, the Business and Labor Coalition of New York, www.balconynewyork.com, represents more than 1000 businesses, labor unions, trade associations and advocacy organizations dedicated to finding common ground on public policy issues in New York State.