Epilepsy Foundation Acts to Improve Health Coverage

The Epilepsy Foundation and 47 organizations representing patients released a statement that calls on the 2008 presidential candidates to propose specific solutions that guarantee effective and affordable health and long-term care coverage for all Americans.

Organized by the National Health Council, this effort represents the first time that the nation's leading patient groups - charitable organizations that represent people with a chronic disease or disability - have joined forces in support of improving health coverage for all Americans.

"This is a grave crisis that needs immediate attention," said Epilepsy Foundation Chief Executive Officer Eric Hargis. "Many Americans, including people with epilepsy, are at risk," said Hargis, who formerly served on the Board of the National Health Council. "We need to educate candidates about this problem, but also compel them to act."

According to the National Health Council, more than 100 million Americans have a chronic disease. For many of them, obtaining effective health and long-term care coverage is difficult, if not impossible. In addition to those unable to obtain coverage, many are underinsured or have reached the lifetime cap, effectively ending the care they can receive.

"We can no longer sit on the sidelines and remain quiet when so many of the people we represent are suffering," said Jim Williams, Chair of the National Health Council and CEO of Easter Seals. "This problem has been brewing for years. Candidates, the media and the public at large must understand that we cannot wait any longer."