National Health Care Reform

Myths vs. Facts

Fact:
CalPERS spends about $5.7 billion a year to provide health care. Costs have risen in the last few years and our economic recession is amplifying the impact on the health care marketplace. Since 2003, health premiums have risen by more than 60 percent. National health care reform can bring about systemic changes that make health care affordable for our employers and our members.

Fact:
Health care spending today consumes 30 percent more of state and local budgets than it did 20 years ago, forcing governments to choose between cutting services and raising taxes. A lower price for health care for all would also make retiree health care less costly for government agencies that provide it for retirees.