AARP's William Novelli Talks Healthcare Reform

William Novelli, president and CEO of AARP and a guest speaker at Monday's morning session, had one message for Summit attendees: "Divided we fail, but together we can do anything."

He was talking about finding a healthcare solution for the 47 million Americans--more than half of which are small business owners, their employees or their dependents--who have no health insurance.

Novelli explained why AARP and NFIB--sometimes on the opposite sides of issues--have joined forces through the Divided We Fail coalition in the fight for access to affordable healthcare for small business. "Enough is enough, we need to get mad and we need to get organized. That's what we're doing with Divided We Fail, and that's why you're our partner," he says.

Divided We Fail is made up of AARP, NFIB, Business Roundtable and the Service Employees International Union and more than 80 other organizations that are engaging the American people, businesses, non-profit organizations, and elected officials in finding bi-partisan solutions to ensure affordable, quality health care for all Americans.

"We don't always agree on everything, but we've come to realize that each of us in our own ways are facing the same problems," Novelli explains. "Only by coming together can each organization achieve its own goals.

In addition to talking about the urgent need for healthcare reform, Novelli also announced AARP's intention to support the Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP)--legislation supported by NFIB that seeks improved access to affordable healthcare through insurance market reform and tax incentives.

"This proposal will be a big step forward to achieve healthcare security," he says.

Novelli credits NFIB and the relationship Novelli has developed with NFIB President and CEO Todd Stottlemyer through their involvement in Divided We Fail as the reason for AARP's intention to support of this bill.

"Working with NFIB has been really productive," Novelli says. "Todd Stottlemyer has vision and clarity. We've learned a lot from each other."

Novelli, like NFIB, believes the stars are aligned for healthcare reform this year:

"We have a print ad that will be going out soon that reads, 'Today's American Dream: Work hard and save so that when you retire, you can still afford to go to the doctor.' We've had enough inaction; we want answers and we want action. Can we actually reform our broken system? Many are inclined to say no, but I think the answer this time can be yes. The public is worried about not having health insurance or about losing it if they change jobs or not being able to afford it. They're worried about their children's future. When the middle class gets worried and angry, politicians take note."

Further demonstrating that the time is now for healthcare reform, Novelli points to the statistics showing that the problem is only getting worse. Add those factors to the fight for access to affordable health insurance that small business owners have been waging for years, and Novelli thinks lawmakers will have no choice but to finally listen--and act.

"The presidential candidates are promising change, and healthcare reform will almost certainly be a priority," Novelli says. "We need congressional and business leaders to rise to the occasion, and we need the public to accept their role in this fight and demand change. What people want is very simple. They want an America that's as good as its promise. That means access to affordable healthcare."

For more information on the Divided We Fail coalition, visit http://www.aarp.org/issues/dividedwefail.