Government

Senators reach out to Bush on health care system reform

NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted March 5, 2007

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An evenly bipartisan group of 10 senators sent a letter to President Bush on Feb. 13 asking him to help them reform the U.S. health care system this congressional year.

"Each of us believes our current health system needs to be fixed now," the letter from the senators read. "Further delay is unacceptable as costs continue to skyrocket, our population ages, and chronic illness increases.

"In addition, our businesses are at a severe disadvantage when their competitors in the global market get health care for 'free.' "

The letter contains the following principles for reform: protecting government programs while ensuring access to affordable, quality private coverage; modernizing tax rules supporting state innovations by not passing federal laws that "stymie" them; emphasizing wellness and prevention; encouraging more compassionate, cost-effective end-of-life care; and improving access to information about pricing and quality.

Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2007/03/05/gvbf0305.htm.

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