External Affairs Department 1900 South Avenue, H02-009 La Crosse, WI 54601Email: ExternalAffairs@gundluth.org Phone: 608-775-1400 Fax: 608-775-6225
December 7, 2009 The Honorable Mark WarnerUnited States Senate459A Russell Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510Re: Freshman Cost Containment AmendmentDear Senators,On behalf of Gundersen Lutheran representing clinics and hospitals in Wisconsin, Iowa andMinnesota, we extend our appreciation for your ongoing efforts to find solutions to reduce the costof health care while improving the care provided to Americans. Gundersen Lutheran endorseshealth reform efforts that reward high quality care for all Americans. To that end we believe theability to improve community health will be the true measure of successful healthcare reform andprovide the highest return on healthcare expenditures. On behalf of Gundersen Lutheran, wesupport your sponsorship of the Freshman Cost Containment Amendment to the Patient Protectionand Affordable Care Act.Health reform legislation must address the rising costs of health care by comprehensively changing the way we deliver and pay for health services. The current Medicare payment system rewards volumes which results in overutilization of services without improving health outcomes. Moving payment in this direction will allow Medicare to stem the costs associated with unnecessary care andremain solvent for future generations. Your amendment challenges Medicare to become the leaderin moving to a value-based payment system with action, encourages collaboration with the privatesector, and seeks to streamline red tape to reduce administrative costs. This amendment goes beyond setting up a value-based payment structure in Medicare. TheFreshman Cost Containment Amendment also encourages collaboration with the private sector onquality measures and outcomes. Finally, the amendment also addresses administrative costs and thered tape involved in the healthcare industry. Every dollar spent on onerous and duplicativeadministrative tasks is a dollar away from patient care.On behalf of Gundersen Lutheran, we support the Senate Freshman Cost Containment Amendment and we thank you for your efforts to address these critical issues. Your leadership andability to champion these efforts will improve the care for Americans. Please contact us if we canhelp you in any way.Sincerely, Jeff Thompson, M.D. Joan CurranChief Executive Officer Chief Government Relations and External Affairs Officer