U.S. Senator for Alaska, Mark Begich

I believe health reform is necessary because the status quo is not acceptable in Alaska. An estimated 133,000 Alaskans do not have health coverage today. Family insurance premiums more than doubled this decade and are projected to double again to nearly $25,000 in 2016, consuming more than 40 percent of family income. Alaska families with insurance currently pay a "hidden tax" of $1,900 annually to pay for care for those without health coverage. Providing health care to everyone is not just the moral thing to do, it's an economic must. Health spending in America now accounts for 18 percent of all economic output and if unchecked will keep rising and consume nearly one-third of the economy by the time my son is raising his own family. If we fail to act, the cost to our economy will be staggering and millions more families won't be able to afford basic health care.

Since the summer, I have hosted seven town halls, three smaller roundtable session and countless meetings and conversations on health reform with Alaskans.

I didn't come to Washington to defend the status quo, and am working hard to be part of the solution on health reform, which will save lives, save money and save Medicare.

My primary goals for the pending legislation are:

· Coverage - Providing health insurance to millions more Americans so they can afford to see a doctor when sick and get regular preventive care to stay healthy;

· Affordability - Demanding competition for and accountability from the insurance industry while driving down the costs of delivering health care;

· Accessibility - Hiring more doctors, nurses, physician assistants and other providers while supporting hospitals, building clinics and expanding health infrastructure.

In May, I shared my thoughts on health care and Alaska's needs with Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus. You can read my letter to the Chairman here.

Then, in July, I joined eight other senators in sending a second letter to Chairman Baucus. In it, we urged the importance of making sure any final health reform bill significantly reduces the costs of delivering medical care. The centerpiece of reform is making sure health care coverage is accessible and affordable to all Americans; equally important is making universal coverage sustainable over the long term by "bending the cost curve" to drive down overall costs. You can read the letter here.

In December, I joined other freshman Democrats in introducing a detailed package of amendments designed to cut costs to consumers, increase value and innovation in the health care system and, according to the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO), save hundreds of millions of dollars. The package has been well received by health economists and other observers. You can read recent coverage here.

This has already been a landmark year in Congress on health issues, and I am proud to have voted to reauthorize and fund the Children's Health Insurance Program for five more years, and to require regulation of tobacco by the FDA, a bill I co-sponsored. Either of these measures stand alone as a huge advancement for the health and well being of Americans. Now all Alaskans stand to benefit from the passage of a meaningful health reform package as it is an investment in both our physical and economic well being.