But since 1993, immunization rates have reached all-time highs, with 90 percent or more of infants receiving the most critical doses of children s vaccines by age 2. For these critical vaccines, vaccination levels are nearly the same for preschool children of all racial and ethnic groups. That is a major advance. In the anti-smoking campaign, as I said earlier, organizations like the Lung and Cancer Associations joined with the federal government to take on tobacco. The point in all this is that government can t promote healthier living and disease prevention by itself.
Private organizations bring irreplaceable power, drive and resources to public health campaigns.
And they must be included as partners. This is an issue that could become one of the great public health campaigns of the 21 st century. We say that every American should have access to quality care. Let me ask all of you a question. Let me see a show of hands.