Washington, DC - Ten of the nation's leading physician associations speak with one voice to release principles to reform the U.S. health care system. This unity among physician groups is intended to help provide the impetus for bipartisan Congressional action to cover the uninsured. Recognizing that many newly elected Members of Congress campaigned on fixing the heath care system, the Principles serve as a guide for Congress to improve both individual health and the collective health care system in the U.S.

The Principles For Reform of the U.S. Health Care System released today call for the following actions:

1. Health care coverage for all is needed to ensure quality of care and to improve the health status of Americans.
2. The health care system in the U.S. must provide appropriate health care to all people within the U.S. borders, without unreasonable financial barriers to care.

3. Individuals and families must have catastrophic health coverage to provide protection from financial ruin.

4. Improvement of health care quality and safety must be the goal of all health interventions, so that we can assure optimal outcomes for the resources expended.

5. In reforming the health care system, we as a society must respect the ethical imperative of providing health care to individuals, responsible stewardship of community resources, and the importance of personal health responsibility.

6. Access to and financing for appropriate health services must be a shared public/private cooperative effort, and a system which will allow individuals/employers to purchase additional services or insurance.

7. Cost management by all stakeholders, consistent with achieving quality health care, is critical to attaining a workable, affordable and sustainable health care system.

8. Less complicated administrative systems are essential to reduce costs, create a more efficient health care system, and maximize funding for health care services.

9. Sufficient funds must be available for research (basic, clinical, translational and health services), medical education, and comprehensive health information technology infrastructure and implementation.

10. Sufficient funds must be available for public health and other essential medical services to include, but not be limited to, preventive services, trauma care and mental health services.

11. Comprehensive medical liability reform is essential to ensure access to quality health care.

"Doctors want Congress to take action on health system reform this year," said Rick Kellerman, MD, president of the American Academy of Family Physicians and a practicing family physician in Wichita, Kansas. "Physicians are coming together to support these principles because they want the best care for their patients and if these principles are adopted, patients will be the main beneficiaries."

More Industry Headlines