Chamber Welcomes Senate Leaders' Health Care Proposal

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The U.S. Chamber of Commerce praised Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-TN) and the Senate leadership for introducing S.4, The Healthy America Act of 2005, a bill to help expand access to affordable, high-quality health care through a number of different measures.

"Today's comprehensive bill addresses nearly every aspect of the current failings of the health care system," said Kate Sullivan Hare, Chamber executive director of health care policy. "By taking a systemwide view of this bill, the Senate is sending a clear message that there is no one silver bullet that will fix the health care system in America."

The bill proposes solutions to financing, quality, and access problems in both the public and private health care spheres. Along with improvements to health savings accounts and flexible spending accounts, the measure contains proposals to combat Medicare and Medicaid fraud and abuse and extends funding for high-risk groups.

The Chamber also added that health care quality and safety would be bolstered through the adoption of electronic health records and a voluntary, nonpunitive reporting mechanism to study health care errors. Finally, S. 4 would improve access by making more community health care centers available, reforming the medical liability system, creating more insurance options for the uninsured, and helping individuals plan for long-term care needs.

According to Sullivan Hare, "The Chamber looks forward to working with the Senate as it moves forward with meaningful health care reforms, particularly ensuring that small business owners and their employees can access affordable health plan options."

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world's largest business federation representing more than three million businesses and organizations of every size, sector, and region.

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