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BAUCUS HOLDS HEALTH REFORM SUMMIT FOR CONGRESSIONAL LEADERS

Senator Paving The Way To Help Provide Quality, Affordable Health Care For All

 

(Washington, D.C.) – As part of his ongoing efforts to lead Congress’ charge in health care reform, Montana’s senior U.S. Senator Max Baucus today held a day-long summit for senators and congressmen, which featured health care experts and breakout groups.

 

Baucus is chairman of the powerful Senate Finance Committee, which has jurisdiction over Medicare, Medicaid and other national health care programs. Baucus’ Prepare for Launch: Health Reform Summit 2008, was designed for members of Congress to put political differences aside, to look at the nation’s current health care system, to look at the good and the bad and to start working on common ways to reform it. Baucus compared health care reform to launching a space shuttle – it takes a lot of preparation and work but if done right, great things can happen.

 

“I convened this summit because Congress must prepare for the work of reforming the healthcare system.  We have to develop common understandings of our current system — the good and the bad parts — so that we are ready to work on reform,” Baucus said. “The problems in our health system are serious.  They involve life and death.  They are not pleasant to think about. The solutions will affect each and every one of us."

The event was filled to capacity and was attended by more than 200 senators, congressmen, and health advocates.

Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke was the Summit’s keynote speaker. Baucus’ Summit also featured T.R. Reid – author, Washington Post Bureau Chief, and FRONTLINE correspondent for the recent documentary “Sick Around the World,” and Dr. J. Craig Venter, founder of The Institute for Genomic Research.

 

The breakout sessions included an array of topics ranging from looking at international health care to state-based reform efforts. Baucus’ breakout sessions included:

  • Lessons from International Health Systems
  • Trends in Employer-Sponsored Health Coverage
  • Delivery System Reform – The Need For Transparency, Payment Reform, and improved Care Coordination
  • Insurance Market Reform
  • Approaches to “Bending the Growth Curve” of Health Care Spending
  • Role of Public Programs in Health Reform
  • State-Based Reform Efforts
  • Best Practices in the Private Sector

“I hope that the dialogue here today will lay the groundwork for our efforts next year,” Baucus said.  If we design our mission together, and set our course together, then we will reach the goal of providing affordable, quality health care to all Americans.”

 

For more information on Baucus’ Summit, please go to: http://finance.senate.gov/healthsummit2008.

 

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