It’s no secret that institutions of all stripes focus their communications on certain messages day to day. We thought it would all be a little more open and transparent if we went ahead and published what our focus will be for the day, along with any related articles, documents, or reports.
Supporting letter: CEO Work Group on Health Reform, 12/8/09 (pdf)
Supporting letter: David M. Cote, CEO, Honeywell, 12/7/09 (pdf)
Talking Points: Health CEOs Confirm Reform Lowers Costs
CEO’s from several sectors of the health care industry – healthcare provider groups, hospitals, physician groups, insurers – have put out a letter praising health insurance reform legislation and saying that it will improve quality and lower costs.
Like the economists who yesterday reported that reform will save a typical family $2,500, these health care executives write that the CBO underestimated the impacts of reforms aimed at promoting best practices and reducing costs.
Due to problems with structure and incentives, the current system "both inflates and obscures true costs," the CEOs write. "Both pending bills counter this in several important ways."
In fact, the CEOs say, "proposed legislation underestimates the power of its provisions." Savings and improved quality may "happen faster than policy makers believe."
Among the crucial reform measures the CEOs cite:
"Mechanisms for enabling systemic changes that allow our health care delivery system to provide more affordable, better integrated and higher quality health care."
"Provisions… that will allow doctors, hospitals and healthcare providers to collaborate in sharing costs, responsibility and savings in ways that our current regulations prohibit."
Measures that make it easier for physicians to coordinate care, which will lower health costs and improve quality.
The current health reform effort, the CEOs conclude, "represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to avert the stark and draconian consequences of inaction."
Related posts:
- Word from the White House: Economists Say Reform Will Strengthen America's Fiscal Health
- Jobs and Health Insurance Reform
- Word from the White House: Strengthening Medicare through Health Insurance Reform
- Word from the White House: Business Roundtable Hewitt Report "Health Care Reform: Creating a Sustainable Market"
- Word from the White House: Bipartisan Support for Health Insurance Reform Continues to Build
