Health security is an issue that affects all of us. Every person has a fundamental human right to quality healthcare - healthcare that is affordable, accessible, and compassionate.

As the nation begins to transform the healthcare system to one that is sustainable, it will be important that we, as a society, ensure that healthcare in the U.S. respects the dignity of every person and delivers the quality, compassionate care we expect and deserve.

Meaningful reform will require dialogue, the acceptance of diverse views and above all, compromise. With the human right of healthcare at stake, all of us must work together to make sure future generations inherit a healthcare system that embraces quality and compassion.

We are taking the necessary steps in the communities we serve to ensure affordability never deters someone from seeking needed care. In 2006, we provided more than $800 million in charity care and unsponsored community benefit (including the unpaid costs of Medicare and Medicaid). In addition, our financial assistance policy provides free and discounted care to uninsured patients with incomes up to five times the federal poverty level ($100K for a family of four). And, since 2003, we helped nearly 140,000 people enroll in government-funded health coverage. But our efforts alone aren't enough. In order to ensure that those who need care can receive it, we must take steps toward the systemic reform of our healthcare system.

Any real, lasting solution to the crisis in healthcare must be guided by four principles:

Universal Access: Every person has the right to be treated with dignity. That includes the right to high quality healthcare delivered with compassion. A fundamental decision must be made to ensure that everyone has access to healthcare.

Stable Financing: A healthcare system that provides universal coverage to all persons must also include a financing structure that ensures reliable, long-term access to care. All sectors of society need to share the responsibility for a sustainable, universal healthcare delivery system. In so doing we can ensure the people providing care can deliver it to everyone who needs it.

Improved Quality: Quality must become the primary focus for measuring the adequacy of the healthcare system. A compassionate, universal healthcare system must be committed to measuring, reporting, and constantly improving the quality of care provided.

Improved Accountability: Local, state, and federal governments need to take greater responsibility for ensuring that healthcare is fully available, adequately financed, and of the highest quality possible. Government agencies must ensure that their decisions maintain access to care, provide for adequate financing, ensure quality services and support diversified, community-based care.