Industry groups vow to stem health-care cost hikes. Thank you President Obama.

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Volunteering to "do our part" to tackle runaway health costs, leading groups in the health-care industry have offered to squeeze $2 trillion in savings from projected increases over the next decade, White House officials said Sunday. The pledge comes amid a debate over how, or whether, to overhaul the nation's health-care system, and Obama administration officials predicted that it will significantly increase momentum for passing such changes this year. The savings could make it less expensive for Congress to enact comprehensive health insurance coverage. "Imagine that. Comprehensive health insurance coverage this year! Now that's "Change You Can Believe In". The groups aim to achieve the proposed savings by using new efficiencies to trim the rise in health-care costs by 1.5 percent a year, the officials said. That would carry huge implications both for the national economy and the federal budget, both of which are significantly affected by health-care expenses. Using new efficiencies. What a novel approach? Or should I say a "common sense" solution to our health care crisis. Representatives from half a dozen health industry trade groups are scheduled to make a formal offer Monday in a White House meeting with President Obama. Hmmmm! I wonder why these representatives are making this formal offer to President Obama. Could it be that the President has made a strong case for insuring the over 40 million Americans without health insurance? Or could it be that these representatives have reached deep down within their own souls and realize that it's the right thing to do? Hmmmm! "I don't think there can be a more significant step to help struggling families and the federal budget," said a senior administration official. Is there anyone who disagrees with this senior administration official? Tell me why if you disagree. The White House projects that the savings after five years under the proposal would mean about $2,500 a year in lower health-care bills for a family of four. Within 10 years, the savings would "virtually eliminate" the nation's budget deficit. "Virtually eliminate the nation's budget deficit." Do you realize that most uninsured Americans use the local hospital emergency room as their only option? It costs nearly $900.00 to treat an ear infection at the local hospital emergency room. Wouldn't a little preventative medicine go a long way in reducing the nation's budget deficit? I believe it would. The trade groups making the pledge represent a broad spectrum of health-care interests, including the American Medical Association, the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, America's Health Insurance Plans, and the Service Employees International Union. Wow! These are some of the big players in the health care field. I'm sure others will soon follow. "We are committed to taking action in private-public partnership to create a more stable and sustainable health care system," the groups wrote to the president. Dear Mr. and Mrs. Health Care Provider. I applaud your commitment to taking action in this private-public partnership. More than ever, we need a more stable and sustainable health care system. The United States spends about $2.2 trillion a year on medical care, representing about 16 percent of the nation's overall economy. And the federal government has a big interest in lowering the cost of health care, given the hefty expense of its Medicaid and Medicaid coverage. Thank you Mr. President. Continue working on behalf of the American people. You are appreciated.