There is a great need for comprehensive health care reform to provide all Americans with access to high-quality, affordable health coverage. Health care reform should expand access to health coverage while promoting value and quality of care. It is imperative that reform guarantee choice of doctors and health plans and invest in prevention and wellness.

As the debate on health care continues, I want be sure that reform legislation would expand health coverage options to the 46 million Americans and 13.6% of New Yorkers who are uninsured. I will work to ensure that all stakeholders have a seat at the table during the health care reform debate. I believe this complicated process must evolve from the bottom up and from all across the spectrum. This includes doctors, nurses, patients, unions, businesses, hospitals, health care providers and businesses.

Key reforms include Medicare payment reforms to increase value by improving prevention and care coordination; improve federal funding to help states with rising Medicaid costs; increase funding for education and training to bolster the primary care and nursing workforce. We cannot delay this discussion any longer.