The League of Women Voters of Roselle-Bloomingdale Area will host a free virtual presentation, Healthcare Affordability Crisis: Reforms We Needed Yesterday, on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, from 7:00–8:00 p.m. via Zoom.
Polls consistently show that healthcare costs remain a significant concern for voters. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF), family premiums for employer-sponsored health insurance increased 9% in 2025, reaching an average of $26,993. At the same time, Americans experience a shorter life expectancy than residents of many other wealthy nations, while proposed federal policy changes continue to spark debate over access to healthcare coverage.
The program will examine factors contributing to rising healthcare costs and explore policy reforms proposed by advocates across the healthcare spectrum.
The first speaker, Matt Stoller, Director of Research at the American Economic Liberties Project, will discuss the impact of consolidation and vertical integration in healthcare markets. Research indicates that reduced competition can contribute to higher prices for medical services and insurance coverage, while complex billing and administrative systems add significantly to healthcare spending. Mr. Stoller will highlight state and local reform efforts aimed at increasing price transparency, standardizing healthcare pricing, and limiting the influence of corporate intermediaries.
The second speaker, Dr. Claudia M. Fegan, National Coordinator of Physicians for a National Health Program, will discuss alternative approaches to healthcare financing. Dr. Fegan will compare the current reimbursement system with proposals for a national healthcare program, including Medicare for All. She will address issues such as access to care, administrative costs, reimbursement incentives, and the role of patients, physicians, insurers, and healthcare organizations in medical decision-making.
High healthcare costs affect household budgets, employers, and government programs alike, making healthcare affordability one of the nation's most pressing public policy challenges. This program will provide attendees with an opportunity to learn about the forces shaping healthcare costs and the reforms being proposed to address them.
To attend this free virtual event, please register using the link below. Even if you are unable to attend the webinar live, we encourage you to register so you will receive the recording link by email after the event.
For more information about this program or other League activities, contact us at: lwvrbmail [at] gmail.com (subject: Question%20about%20Healthcare%20Webinar) .
