Today the largest associations of insurers, doctors and physicians acknowledged that the excess health costs that today severely burden working families can be substantially reduced over time, something that's been a long time coming.

Their pledge to cut health care inflation and save the country $2 trillion over ten years is a milestone on the road to reform.

Behind their commitment is the knowledge that fully 30 percent of the $2.4 trillion we spend per year on health care does not even benefit patients. We look forward to working with these groups as well as Congress and the White House to make good on this pledge, through proposals that produce real savings.

We are pleased that the administration remains committed to lowering health care costs and achieving quality, affordable health care for everyone. We believe a public heath insurance plan will be essential to achieving both those goals.

Contact: Amaya Smith, AFL-CIO, 202-637-5018