The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has announced the implementation of a new web site dedicated to health care reform, www.healthreform.gov. In an HHS press release, HHS Spokeswoman Jenny Backus stated that the web site and a new report on the web site, Americans Speak on Health Reform: Report on Health Care Community Discussions, would "ensure that when we discuss health reform, the American people will have an equal stake in the health reform efforts." Ms. Backus also stated, "Sky-rocketing health care costs are creating enormous pressure on families, on businesses and our fiscal future. The Obama Administration is committed to taking action this year on health reform and is calling on government, business, health care stakeholders and everyday Americans to come together to make it happen."

On the web site, visitors can access the video of the recent White House Health Forum (reported in DM 8381) and the event blog of the Forum. They can also submit an electronic statement of support for health reform, submit questions for Regional Health Forums scheduled for across the country in the coming months, watch videos of Americans explaining why they believe health care reform is needed, and review details of the HHS budget. Visitors can also comment on the issues in the web site.

The HHS report on health reform is featured prominently on the web site, and the report itself is broken down into four topics: Overview of health Care Community Discussions; Participation in Health Care Community Discussions; Concerns About The U.S. Health Care System; and Solutions To The Problems in the U.S. Health Care System. The report was developed from an invitation from the Presidential Transition Team in December of 2008 to host and participate in Health Care Community Discussions to talk about how to reform health care in America.
According to the report, over 9,000 Americans in the 50 states and District of Columbia signed up to host and participate in the community discussions, with perspectives from health care patients and providers. After the discussion, the hosts were asked to fill out a Participant Survey and submit a group report to the Presidential Transition Team's Web site, www.change.gov summarizing the group's concerns and suggestions. The 124 page report is the information collected from this survey. Individual summaries of community discussions by state can be accessed.

Adapted in part from a press release by HHS.

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