Affordable, quality health care for all Americans is a goal we all share. Aetna has sought a leadership role in the health reform discussion, by calling for an individual mandate to get everyone covered more than two years ago, supported by no pre-existing condition or medical underwriting requirements. While these are critically important steps, failure to undertake the difficult work necessary to address the underlying costs of health care will prevent us from ever really achieving affordable, quality health care for all Americans.
That’s why Aetna and the Aetna Foundation are proud to join with Health Affairs, the preeminent journal of health policy, to bring you the September/October issue focused on "Bending the Cost Curve" in health care. The materials presented here are a sampling of the thought-provoking analysis and true innovation going on across the health care industry on the cost side of the equation. By addressing rising costs, we hope to build a strong foundation that will maintain the high-value health system we have today.
We have worked closely with the Administration, members of Congress and traditional and non-traditional allies to offer constructive and concrete solutions to help advance meaningful reform. We have embraced a number of critical changes to today’s flawed individual and small group insurance markets, and we have led the charge to simplify processes for health care professionals and patients.
The Health Affairs launch event highlighted innovative solutions that are bending the health care cost curve today. Bending the cost curve is the key -- if we don’t make health care more affordable other reforms will have little value. I am very proud of Aetna’s efforts to partner with health care providers to develop innovative solutions that improve quality and reduce costs. When we work together in the health care system, we all win.
Sincerely,
Ronald A. Williams
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Aetna Inc.