With health care reform at the center of debate in D.C. and no clear answers on how to achieve a working system, or rein in runaway health care costs, Regence continues to educate and engage consumers in becoming more active participants in the health care system.

Expanding coverage that doesn't address health care costs simply perpetuates a system that is wasteful, inefficient and unaffordable, whoever is paying for it—government, employers or individuals. For reform to be long lasting, it must address the root causes of inefficiency in our system—a system characterized by complexity, waste, duplication, misperceptions and a whole lot of finger pointing.

According to the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, 46 million Americans lack health insurance. That figure is often cited as evidence that health care is inaccessible to a large number of people in the United States.

But too often, people forego health insurance because it costs too much. Coverage costs are directly related to health care costs, since more than 87 cents of every premium dollar is used to pay claims. Insurance costs are high because health care itself costs too much. Each of us has a stake in understanding and doing something about the underlying costs of health care in America...because if all we do is expand health care coverage (the cornerstone of most health reform proposals), health care costs will continue to balloon until our health care system explodes.

What is Regence doing about it?

As part of a Consumer Cost Education campaign, Regence launched the newly revamped, interactive WhatsTheRealCost.org Web site. This site is part of Regence's ongoing commitment to educate consumers about the real costs of health care, and how the choices they make each day impact those costs. The site includes a variety of interactive components including and social media opportunities. We encourage you to visit the site often, as new features are continually added.

Additionally, Regence also asks that you make your voice heard in the health care debate by becoming involved in our Web-based advocacy campaign through our Advocacy Network. To learn more, visit the Regence.com Issues and Action Center.

Again, help us make a difference in health care and make your voice heard by spreading on-going messages about health care costs and the components that drive them by questioning and getting others to ask, "What is the real cost?"

Questions?

Do you have questions about Regence's efforts? Please e-mail WhatsTheRealCost@Regence.com.