Panel seeks citizen input on health care reform.(Practice Trends)

WASHINGTON -- American health care could be in for the world's largest customer satisfaction survey as the U.S. Citizens' Health Care Working Group seeks comments nationwide on how to reform the system.

"In order to make health care work for all Americans, we need to hear from all Americans," said working group member Rosario Perez, who is both a registered nurse and vice president of Mission Integration and Outreach Services for CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Health Care in San Antonio.

"We want to hear from individuals across the country. That means we want to hear your parents, your relatives, your coworkers, and people in your community." Perez spoke at a briefing sponsored by the Citizen's Health Care Working Group.

Established by the 2003 Medicare Modernization Act, the 14-member panel will collect as many comments and suggestions as possible before April 15. Submissions will serve as the basis for panel recommendations for Congress and President Bush to consider next spring. The recommendations will address costs, care affordability, and quality improvement.

"Despite increases in medical care spending that are greater than the rate of inflation, population growth, and Gross Domestic Product growth, there has not been a commensurate improvement in our health status as a nation," according to the law that established the working group. Among areas of interest highlighted by the working group are consumer concerns about health care delivery, benefits that should be provided, how health care should be paid for, and acceptable trade-offs to ensure broad access to services.

The group is seeking comment through its Web site (www.citizenshealthcare.gov) and "town hall"-style community meetings planned for every state.

Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) and Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) headed this bipartisan ...