With 69 days until President-elect Barack Obama takes office, Congressional leaders are gearing up to make sure healthcare reform doesn't slip through the cracks this time.
Sen. Max Baucus (D-Mont.), chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, issued a "Call to Action" white paper on Wednesday to drive home the urgency.
"It is the duty of the next president and the next Congress to reform America's healthcare system," Baucus said. "In 2009, Congress must take up and act on meaningful health reform legislation that achieves universal coverage while also addressing the underlying problems in our health system."
Baucus, who held nine health reform hearings this year and a day-long health summit in June, said he has already put in "a good deal of time" talking to colleagues on both sides of the aisle about the issue.
He said his paper is not a legislative proposal, but "a vision for both policy and process" in the upcoming reform debate. "The health system is so complex that any solution will demand time and attention to make sure we get it right," he said.
On the House side, Rep. John D. Dingell (D-Mich.), chairman of the Committee on Energy and Commerce, is rallying for swift reform. Dingell, who has advocated universal healthcare throughout his 53-year career, said Obama's transition team has already contacted him on the issue.
In response to Baucus's plan, Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), ranking member of the Senate Finance Committee, warned of any reform that would cost money.
"Right now, we already have a deficit of at least $400 billion before the $700 billion bailout and the economic downturn being factored in. We're heading toward a deficit that's 10 percent of the economy," he said. "So paying for healthcare reform needs to be done in an intellectually honest way for the fiscal health of our country, and the broader the support for any health policy changes, the more durable and effective they will be."
Karen Ignagni, president and CEO of America's Health Insurance Plans, commended Baucus for his proposal. "We look forward to reading the plan and participating in the discussion to ensure all Americans have access to high-quality, affordable health care coverage," she said.
The Premier healthcare alliance issued a statement applauding the Baucus plan as well. "As Chairman Baucus' Call to Action points out, we have found substantial evidence to prove that aligning payment incentives with outcomes has a direct effect on improving quality and value," the statement said. "We also strongly agree with Chairman Baucus that greater transparency of cost and quality data, a national comparative research organization and increased utilization of health IT are all essential to continuous improvements."