The best health care in the world is delivered in America. At the same time, a perfect storm of conditions have combined to push health care prices beyond the reach of many Americans.

     There is no silver bullet solution to this complex array of challenges. Republicans have successfully passed bills throughout the 108th Congress that have and will make health care more accessible, affordable, efficient and consumer-friendly. But we are not satisfied.

     Health care costs are increasing faster than any other basic service in our society; about 21 million Americans from all walks of life are without insurance for a year or more; and the safety net of care for uninsured and low-income individuals is worn thin and sometimes does not provide a full range of services.

     The Senate Republican Task Force on Health Care Costs and the Uninsured has engaged in an intensive, six-month effort to better define the problems and their root causes, review existing proposals, and develop creative new solutions.

     Our recommendations address three priority goals: to make care more affordable, cover the uninsured and strengthen the safety net for those who fall through the cracks.

     Cumulatively, the recommendations in this package would result in annual savings to our nation's health care system of $137 billion, insurance coverage for 17-25 million more Americans and access to safety net care for 5 million more uninsured individuals.

     We are pleased to present these recommendations and hope this product will serve as a blueprint for decisive action both this year and for the next congressional session.