Health care reform needed now

By JOHN AGWUNOBI

We at Wal-Mart believe our nation’s health-care system must be reformed right now and there are some very positive indications from Washington that it’s possible. It was very clear from his budget that President Obama believes that health-care reform should be a top priority. Congress is considering a number of proposals, which are working their way through the legislative process. And many in the business community are strongly behind health-care reform.

Shared commitment

As Congress crafts legislation, we believe its top priority should be that every American must have access to quality, affordable health coverage, and businesses, individuals and governments must share the responsibility for financing and managing a system that ensures we meet that goal.

The key to successful health-care reform, however, may well have as much to do with how we arrive at a final bill as with what is in the bill. Health care is too important to let special interests choose sides, go to their corners and battle it out. We need a new era of cooperation among government, businesses and the American people and it should start with health-care reform.

Inclusive process

We applaud the Senate, Democrats and Republicans, for their leadership and for welcoming input from all sides. Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus, D-Mont., with the input of Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, has laid out the framework for comprehensive reform and not one group has been left out.

There is a major role for employers to play, beginning with providing coverage. We look forward to working with Sens. Baucus, Grassley, Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., and others as they navigate these political rapids and we are ready to help Congress craft a bipartisan solution to this historic challenge.

X Agwunobi is the senior vice president and president of health and wellness for Wal-Mart. He is a panelist for the Washington Post’s on-line discussion of health care issues.