SENATOR MAX BAUCUS: COMMENT ON FORMATION OF HEALTH CEOS FOR HEALTH REFORM COALITION

Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.) issued a brief statement today following the announcement that CEOs from six health care providers across the country have formed a coalition called Health CEOs for Health Reform (HC4HR). Baucus has made health care reform top priority for the Finance Committee and a key legislative objective for 2009.

From Senator Baucus:

"Over the last year, I've been leading the Finance Committee effort to determine how to best address America's broken health care system. In 2009, I plan to hit the ground running to achieve successful reform. Making our health care system work effectively is going to require the contributions and cooperation of all of the system's stakeholders. I'm pleased to see these health CEOs come together and I look forward to a substantive and productive dialogue with the group. This group certainly adds to the momentum for all stakeholders to come together and work toward comprehensive health care reform."

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WASHINGTON, DC- Senator Edward M. Kennedy today praised the New America Foundation for its efforts to convene a diverse group of health industry CEOs committed to working together to establish effective solutions for health reform. Senator Kennedy said, "I commend the health industry CEOs for their willingness to work together to respond to one of the most important challenges facing our country in this new century. I'm optimistic that we'll be able in the coming year to enact at long last the broad reforms essential to guarantee affordable health care for all our people."

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For the full text of their statements, please click here.