Over thirty physician leaders from across the country, including deans of medical schools, CEOs of teaching hospitals, leaders in medical specialties, and practicing physicians gathered on the third floor of the Old Executive Office Building today to talk in very specific terms about ways to reduce health care costs, assure quality health care and improve the experience of practicing medicine in America. Director of the White House Office of Health Reform Nancy-Ann DeParle opened the event along side four physicians working on health care reform in the Administration: Dr. Dora Hughes, Dr. Zeke Emanuel, Dr. Bob Kocher and Dr. Kavita Patel.

The discussion, moderated by DeParle and the four physicians, touched on a wide range of issues affecting the practice of medicine. Dr. Kocher began the discussion by outlining the President’s vision for health care reform: a health care system that guarantees choice of doctors and plans, invests in prevention and wellness, improves patient safety and quality of care, and assures affordable health coverage for all Americans. Dr. Emanuel then asked for specific ideas from the physicians "in the trenches" on how to improve quality and keep health care costs down. From there, the spirited conversation centered on concrete ways that hospitals and medical practices could be more efficient, notably by incorporating health information technology, and many spoke of the need for new financial incentives instead of fee for service.