Washington Watch: Fast-Tracking Health Care

Even before Barack Obama takes office, key legislators, health care activists and advocates have held hearings, developed policy positions and begun seeking a consensus on how best to reform the nation’s broken health care system. Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus, D-Mont., presented a white paper that focused on access and affordability, especially for those ages 50 to 64, and on long-term care and chronic disease.

Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, D-Mass., and his staff have met with key players. So have Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and Sen. Robert Bennett, R-Utah, whose bipartisan proposal for universal health care has the support of about 15 Senate cosponsors.

Other members of Congress have introduced health care reform bills that include such measures as improving health information technology.

AARP has engaged in these early discussions. After meeting with Health and Human Services Secretary-designate Tom Daschle, AARP CEO Bill Novelli said, “We look forward to working with both parties in the House and the Senate, the new Obama administration, and all other stakeholders to make meaningful, comprehensive health reform a reality.”