More details on Senator Hagel's Health Care Reform Commission

Here is the statement put out on Senator Hagel's Senate website.

Hagel Announces Health Care Reform Commission

February 22nd, 2006 - OMAHA, NE - U.S. Senator Chuck Hagel (R-NE) announced today at the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) the formation of a Health Care Reform Commission. The purpose of the Commission is to review the current state of health care and present recommendations to develop a sustainable, accessible, affordable and quality health care system for the 21st century. The Commission will bring together key professionals and leaders from Nebraska’s and the nation’s health care fields. "I hear about health care issues from Nebraskans every day. It is an issue that touches the lives of every American. As medical technologies advance and our population ages, health care will become increasingly important to maintaining America’s competitive position in the world. The Commission’s work will help develop new ideas to meet America’s health care needs in the 21st century," Hagel said. Hagel announced that Chuck Marr, founding CEO of Alegent Health in Omaha, will serve as the Commission’s Chairman. "Having accessible, affordable and quality health care is the desire of every American. The task of the Health Care Reform Commission is to evaluate our current health care system and recommend new approaches which will assure a sustainable health care system for every family. We look forward to working with Senator Hagel in this important and far-reaching work," Marr said. The Commission will focus on all facets of health care, including health care costs and access to reliable health care. The Commission will have one year to produce a written report about the current state of health care and present recommendations to Senator Hagel. "I am grateful to the health care professionals who have volunteered their time, energy and expertise to this project. I am especially grateful to Chuck Marr for agreeing to head the Commission," Hagel said. - 30 - Attached is a fact sheet detailing the Health Care Reform Commission. Health Care Reform Commission U.S. Senator Chuck Hagel (R-NE) Purpose: The Commission on Health Care Reform will review the current state of health care and present recommendations to develop a sustainable, accessible, affordable and quality health care system for the 21st century. Mandate: The final report of recommendations will define the challenges facing the U.S. health care system, and recommend legislative initiatives that need to be made at the federal level to accomplish this mandate. The Commission will focus on the following areas: Improvement of health care quality and delivery in America. Containment of health care costs. Role medical science and technology will continue to have in health care reform. Improvement of access to health care for all Americans. Exploring more effective financing vehicles for American health care than current public and private plans. Addressing the "baby boom" demographic and its impact on future health care costs and services. Reporting Requirements: The Commission will submit its final report of recommendations 12 months after it begins its work. Commission Members: Commission Chairman Chuck Marr, founding CEO of Alegent Health; Dr. Todd Sorensen, Regional West Medical Center; Jack Vetter, Vetter Health Services, Inc.; Dr. Keith Mueller, UNMC; Mike DeFreece, MarketSphere Consulting, LLC; Dr. Daniel Wilson, Creighton University Medical Center; Dr. Mary Lee Fitzsimmons, Iowa/Nebraska Primary Care Association; Dr. J. Chris Bradberry, Creighton University Medical Center; Steve Martin, Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Nebraska; Lisa Lechowicz, HDM Corporation; Dr. Dennis Goeschel, UNMC; Dr. Virginia Tilden, UNMC; Dr. Bill Bush, doctor of Private Practice in Anesthesiology; Jim Berarducci, Kurt Salmon Associates, Inc. and Dr. Charles Gregorius, Associated Anesthesiologists.