On December 8, Senator Warner and 10 other Freshman Senators introduced the "Value and Innovation" amendment package, aimed at encouraging innovation and affordability for consumers across the U.S. health care system.
The legislation has been introduced by: Sens. Mark Begich (AK), Michael Bennet (CO), Roland Burris (IL), Kay Hagan (NC), Ted Kaufman (DE), Paul Kirk (MA), Jeff Merkley (OR), Jeanne Shaheen (NH), Mark Udall (NM), Tom Udall (CO) and Mark Warner (VA).
Co-sponsors include: Sens. Susan Collins and Olympia Snowe (ME), Tom Carper (DE), Amy Klobuchar (MN), and Sheldon Whitehouse (RI)
Supporters of the package include: AARP; Business Roundtable; Safeway; New America Foundation; AFL-CIO; National Partnership for Women and Families; CEO Workgroup for Health Reform; Center for American Progress; Healthcare Leadership Council; National Association of Manufacturers; Walmart; Target; Catholic Healthcare West; Virginia Hospital and Healthcare Association; Carilion Clinic; David Cutler (Harvard Economist); Consumers Union; Small Business Majority; Kelly Services International; Intel; US PIRG; Better Health Care Together; Brookings; Pacific Business Group on Health; Quadgraphics; Health CEOs for Health Reform; Corporate Health Care Coalition; California Public Employees’ Retirement System; Denver Health; Virginia Mason; Billings Clinic; University of Wisconsin Hospitals; Group Health Cooperative; Main Street Alliance; Ascension; Physician Health Partners; Health Grades; Gunderson; HR Policy Association; and National Community Pharmacists Association.
Here are some highlights from the announcement:
John Castellani, the president of the Business Roundtable, was at the press conference:
Here is the legislative language for the amendment. A summary of its provisions follows:
Freshman Value & Innovation in Health Care Amendment
Improving Quality and Value Through Delivery System Reform
Promoting Transparency and Competition
Promoting Accountability and Responsibility