Providing a report on the progress-to-date of their discussions, participating organizations identified specific ideas for reform, including methods to expand health coverage, greatly reduce the growth rate for health care costs, and ultimately promote more effective and efficient care. Ideas shared focus on several over-arching principles that participants unanimously agree should be cornerstones for successful health care reform, including:

1. Expanding health care coverage options to extend insurance to the 46 million Americans who are uninsured;
2. Reducing the growth of health care costs by increasing value for American health care consumers. Key reforms include implementing Medicare payment reforms, improving billing efficiencies, closing gaps in quality and outcomes; and

3. Fostering an environment in which prevention, wellness and primary care - not just diagnosis and treatment - are the cornerstones of high-quality care, and more.

The group provided ideas for reform that included consensus on collective and individual responsibility and measures to significantly improve the efficiency and effectiveness of care. They include:

- Reforms aimed at having all Americans purchase or otherwise obtain health insurance.
- Advanceable, refundable tax credits or other subsidies to help more people afford health coverage.
- Federal funding to help states with rising Medicaid costs, and establishing a baseline for Medicaid eligibility for all adults at no less than 100 percent of the federal poverty level.
- A public-private partnership to research ways to compare clinical effectiveness of treatments.
- Medicare payment reforms to increase value by improving prevention and care coordination.
- Funding for education, training, and loan forgiveness programs as components in a dynamic
planning process to bolster the primary care and nursing workforce.

The group's report also calls for an upfront investment to help set the health system on a path toward significant long-term savings and improve the long-term fiscal future of the nation.

"For decades, attempts to reform America's health system have met with fractious debate," said Georges C. Benjamin, M.D., F.A.C.P., F.A.C.E.P. (E), executive director, American Public Health Association. "Until now, comprehensive health care reform has been deadlocked. The time has come to set aside some of our differences, talk openly with each other, and begin to find common ground. This process has significantly helped steer us toward that outcome."

Organizations participating in the Health Reform Dialogue include: AARP, Advanced Medical Technology Association, America's Health Insurance Plans, American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, American College of Physicians, American Hospital Association, American Medical Association, American Nurses Association, American Public Health Association, Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, Business Roundtable, Catholic Health Association of the United States, Families USA, Federation of American Hospitals, Healthcare Leadership Council, National Federation of Independent Business, Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, and U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

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