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Report: No health reform means 8,900 Ohio deaths

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By William Hershey, Columbus Bureau 12:42 AM Wednesday, March 3, 2010

COLUMBUS — Unless Congress and President Barack Obama enact health care reform this year, the cost will be 8,900 premature deaths in the next decade of Ohioans from 25-64 years old, according to a report released on Tuesday, March 2, by Families USA, a consumer health care group.

Cathy Levine, co-chair of Ohio Consumers for Health Coverage, an advocacy coalition, called the findings “blood-curdling.” Levine said they showed “the real death panels facing Ohio.”

“If is unconscionable (that) people are dying due to lack of health care coverage,” Levine said in a conference call.

The report used a methodology based on research that shows that the absence of insurance coverage increased mortality by about 25 percent among adults 25-64 years old. About 1.3 million Ohioans lack coverage, said Levine.

Kelly McGivern, president and CEO of the Ohio Association of Health Plans, which represents health insurance providers, said it’s hard to dispute that people not receiving the necessary medical care have a tougher time staying healthy. She questioned, however, whether the major plans being considered by Congress would control costs, a key to improving the system.

“Unless reform controls the cost, it really does nothing to insure that consumers have the ability to purchase health insurance,” McGivern said.

Release of the report comes after last week’s health care summit convened by Obama, aimed at sparking bipartisan cooperation.

The report also found that without reform, nationally the number of non-elderly deaths would grow from about 68 a day in 2010 to 84 per day in 2019.

In addition, in the 15 years since health care reform last was debated, more than 290,000 American from 25-64 years old – including 9,500 in Ohio - died prematurely due to lack of health coverage, the report said.

Contact this reporter at (614) 224-1608 or whershey@DaytonDailyNews.com.

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