December 7, 2009

Dear Senators:

The members of the Healthcare Leadership Council (HLC) – leading healthcare

companies and organizations from all healthcare sectors – applaud and strongly
support your efforts to strengthen the delivery reform, payment reform and cost
containment provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

Health reform must result in improved patient outcomes and the attainment of greater
value for the healthcare dollars we spend. Your amendment highlights the importance
of delivery system reform as an integral part of health reform, and ensures that the
Medicare program will use its resources to provide healthcare of the highest quality,
instead of simply the greatest volume. HLC has strongly advocated action to bring
greater healthcare delivery innovation and cost-effectiveness to the Medicare program,
and we enthusiastically support your efforts.

Your amendment recognizes that there is already a significant body of evidence,

generated by a number of forward-thinking health providers, showing the gains that can
be made in both healthcare quality and value through delivery and payment system
reforms. It’s time to collect and disseminate the data and implement the lessons we’ve
already learned on a broader scale, and enable patients and taxpayers to reap the
benefits.

We compliment you, as well, on the belief embodied in your amendments that

Americans are best served when the private and public sectors work together to
improve our healthcare system. Your amendment makes the accurate and important
statement that private sector innovation and effective policymaking should go hand-in-
hand.

Congress should adopt your legislation as one of the critical steps to bring the Patient
Protection and Affordable Care Act closer to the kind of health reform bill our nation
needs. We share your vision of a quality-centered, value-driven, innovative 21st century
healthcare system and we will work actively to advocate inclusion of your amendment in
health reform legislation.

Sincerely,

Mary R. Grealy
President