It is the duty of the next Congress to reform America’s health care system. In 2009, Congress must take up and act on meaningful health reform legislation that achieves coverage for every American while also addressing the underlying problems in our health system. The urgency of this task has become undeniable.

In preparing to act, I led the U.S. Senate Finance Committee in holding nine hearings on health care reform this year and hosted a day-long health summit in June 2008 to explore in greater depth the problems plaguing our health system. I have spent a good deal of time talking to colleagues on both sides of the aisle and to stakeholders in the health care industry to get their perspectives on the issues that matter. And perhaps most importantly, in listening sessions across the state of Montana, I have heard from many Americans about the challenges so many patients and families face in getting access to affordable health coverage and paying medical bills.

This paper — this Call to Action — represents the next step. It is not intended to be a legislative proposal. Nor is it an exhaustive exploration of every health care issue that should or needs to be addressed, or that will be considered. Rather, it details my vision for health care reform. The plan outlined here addresses health care coverage, quality, and cost. Many components would require an initial investment but, over time, would vastly improve the quality of the health care that Americans receive and reduce the cost of that
health care, ultimately putting our system on a more sustainable path. The policies in this paper are designed so that after ten years the U.S. would spend no more on health care than is currently projected, but we would spend those resources more efficiently and would provide better-quality coverage to all Americans.

The health system is so complex that any solution will demand time and attention to make sure that we get it right. This plan is most certainly a work in progress. But this Call to Action is intended to encourage constructive input by policymakers, stakeholders, and health policy thought leaders to move us forward. I look forward to discussing this plan with President-Elect Obama, with my colleagues in Congress, and with stakeholders in the health care system, working collaboratively with all to enact effective health reform.