Regence BlueCross BlueShield on the health reform bill

Sep 17 2009

The following is a statement from Mark Ganz, president and chief executive officer of Regence BlueCross BlueShield, regarding introduction today of the health reform bill for consideration by the Senate Finance Committee:

"I applaud Chairman Baucus and his working group of senators for their bipartisan work on health reform. By introducing a bill today, Chairman Baucus has moved our nation forward on the difficult yet important road to reform.

"For years, Regence has firmly believed that all Americans must have affordable coverage and access to quality care; insurers must drop pre-existing barriers to coverage; medical care must become more efficient and economical; and the entire system must be simpler and more transparent. These principles are substantively and largely embraced in the Senate Finance Committee bill.

"Like many Americans we have some concerns, which we look forward to sharing with the chairman. However, without question, the chairman's mark represents a thoughtful, meaningful advance in the effort to reform health care. Regence's deep commitment to improving the system is unwavering.

"We are devoted to real health care reform that provides quality coverage to all Americans, addresses the fundamental cost drivers that make coverage increasingly unaffordable in both the public and private sector, and ensures systemic and broader economic sustainability for our nation."