A seat at the table for health care reform
Posted By: Steven Lipstein 
Date Posted: August 14th, 2009 Category: Medicine
In recent weeks, I have had the opportunity to be among leaders of major health care organizations who were invited to the White House to meet with director of health reform Nancy-Ann DeParle, along with Valerie Jarrett, a senior advisor to President Barack Obama and Susan Sher, Chief of Staff to the First Lady, Michele Obama.
The group included CEOs of some of the best-known institutions of medicine in the United States, including Duke, Johns Hopkins, University of Pittsburgh, Virginia Mason, Partners, Catholic Healthcare West, M.D. Anderson, Cleveland Clinic, Greenville Health System and BJC.
I was honored to represent BJC as we prepare for a potential watershed moment bringing some kind of significant health care reform. With our diverse makeup of academic medical centers, suburban community hospitals and rural hospitals, BJC brings a unique perspective that many of the other organizations cannot articulate.
As we discussed the many aspects of health care reform, each of these leaders shared compelling ideas and equally compelling concerns. What became clear is that, even though we have a President with very high approval ratings who is keenly focused on health care reform, consensus on what to do to contain costs and expand coverage continues to be exceedingly difficult.
As ideas continue to emerge and proposals become more detailed, it is going to be very important for all Americans – including all of us at BJC – to stay informed and become engaged. There is much at stake in the escalating deliberation over health care reform.
BJC continues to advocate for a solution that guarantees access to affordable and comprehensive health insurance for all citizens, and that fairly compensates hospitals, doctors and other caregivers for the services they provide.
Access means that every person should be able to obtain health insurance, whether rich or poor, employed or not, with or without a pre-existing condition.
Affordable means that health insurance also needs to be within every person’s financial means. Premiums, co-pays and deductibles should not prohibit people from obtaining the care they need.
Comprehensive means that a person should be able to receive all the health services they need, including preventive and specialty care, and have choice among doctors, hospitals and insurance plans.
Fair compensation means that doctors, hospitals and other caregivers should be paid for the cost of services they provide.
BJC’s seat at the table of health care reform positions us to be an active participant in solving our health care challenges. And, while I am proud to represent us, your voices are just as important as mine. If you have suggestions or concerns, please weigh in with our elected officials. The time is now to ensure our voice is heard.