Senator Max Baucus, Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, today unveiled a white paper setting forth his views about the possible directions for health care reform in the 111th Congress. He has also indicated that health care reform will be the top priority for the Senate Finance Committee this year. The following is the statement of Ron Pollack, Executive Director of Families USA, about these developments.
“Senator Baucus is offering exemplary leadership in promoting meaningful health care reform for our nation—reform that is a critical component of fixing our nation’s ailing economy. We very much appreciate the white paper he released today.
“The white paper released today achieves a sound balance between public- and private-sector approaches, and it blends good policy with a sound view of what is achievable.
“Through the health care summit he organized several months ago, with the hearings he conducted and plans to conduct on key aspects of health care reform, and by the issuance of his thoughtful white paper, Senator Baucus is providing the leadership needed to ensure that Congress can act promptly and effectively to address the growing health care crisis.
“There has never been a more auspicious opportunity to secure meaningful health care reform: The President-Elect has made it a top priority, key congressional committee chairs have made it their top priority, and the large and diverse health care interest groups are working cooperatively to find common ground.
“As a result, we have a unique opportunity to succeed this time in securing much-needed health care reform.
“As the economy worsens and growing numbers of businesses and families are unable to pay fast-rising health care costs, it is essential that we move expeditiously to enact health care reform. We thank Senator Baucus for his leadership to make that happen.”
