Health Care CEOs Sound Off On Reform - Healthcare * US * News * Story

Runway Angels
The superbowl of fashion shows, models walk down the runway at the 2009 Victoria's Secret Show.
Smartphone Guide
Here's a need-to-know guide to nine devices, based on features, price, network and platform.
Wines for the Holidays
Not quite sure what wine to pair with Turkey or Creme Brulee? Our experts do.

FEATURED QUIZZES

How Well Do You Know Your Bird?
Let's talk turkey. Test your turkey knowledge and perhaps pick up a bit of trivia to trot out at your holiday meal.
A Healthier & Wealthier You
Take the following quiz and find out how much you know about the impact of obesity on the health of the U.S. economy.
The Billionaire BFF's
Philanthropists. Bridge partners. Hockey players. Which responses are based on facts from Buffett's and Gates' real lives?

SPECIAL REPORTS

Winterizing Your Portfolio
If 2009 was the winter of our discontent, will 2010 be a winter wonderland for investors? A lot depends on the recovery—or lack thereof.
Investor's Guide to Real Estate
Some even say the long-awaited recovery is here. Regardless, buyers and sellers alike can profit from our guide.
Alternative Investing
Stocks and bonds? Sure. But it's a big world out there for investors.

CNBC ON DIGG

Health Care CEOs Sound Off On Reform

Published: Thursday, 30 Jul 2009 | 3:32 PM ET

Text Size

By: Natalie Erlich
Writer/Producer

Congress may be closer to passing a health care bill that would potentially reshape the U.S. health care system, following an agreement reached among conservative Democrats on Wednesday.

In the following video highlights from CNBC.com, health care CEOs react to the developments taking place in Washington:

Expecting A Public Plan

"As I've watched the debate ... I think there's been too much talk about the public option. It's actually quite likely. What is likely to emerge is probably less effective than its proponents would hope and less scary than its opponents have portrayed it. Look, I'm no expert in how the sausage is made, but my expectation based on what you've heard out of all these different committees, and of course we have our eyes mostly on the Senate Finance Committee, is that there will be some form of public option."

- Trevor Fetter, Tenet Healthcare [THC Loading... () ] president & CEO

Seeking A 'Private-Public Partnership'

"What the American public wants is to rein in the rising cost of health care and we need to do that as we expand coverage for those in the country that don't have coverage. We've met with the Senate leadership and the staff of the Senate leadership.. We've met with the administration, and what we're proposing is to have reform that allows the private sector to weigh in. It's a combination. It is a private-public partnership."

- Thomas Ryan, CVS Caremark [CVS Loading... () ] CEO

Focus On Prevention & Wellness

"One of the key principles I think the president has had from the beginning ... That's more focus on prevention of disease and health and wellness. And I think that's absolutely where an employer can help. There's been a lot of good innovation on preventing disease. We as an example, we incent our employees who are non-smokers and decrease their premium. We know that obesity is one of the top drivers of disease in this country. I think focus on controlling obesity which drives diabetes can really help reduce our health care costs."

- Gregory Wasson, Walgreen [WAG Loading... () ] president & CEO