Health care costs are on the rise, access to quality care is down and Kansans are eager for change. That's the message delivered today by Governor Kathleen Sebelius as she endorsed the Kansas Health Policy Authority's health reform plan.

"Here in Kansas we're working to open the doors of affordable and quality health care to every citizen, in every part of the state," said Sebelius. "The Health for All Kansans Steering Committee met with advocates, stakeholders and consumers to craft this comprehensive plan. The legislature asked for an expert approach - this is it. I thank the legislature for getting serious about health reform; and for the opportunity to start that reform today."

The governor was joined by members of the Health For All Kansans Steering Committee and Maynard Oliverius, president and CEO of Stormont-Vail HealthCare.

"Kansans want change in the way health care services are delivered," Sebelius continued. "I challenge the legislature to seize this opportunity; increase access to affordable health insurance; address the underlying problems of rising costs and pass this plan in its entirety."

The Kansas Health Policy Authority was formed by the Kansas Legislature in 2005. Their charge has been to create a plan that improves the quality, availability and affordability of the health care system. They shared their recommendations in November.

To learn more about the Kansas Health Policy Authority's health care reform plan, visit www.khpa.ks.gov.

The 2008 Legislative session convenes on Monday, January 14th.

The following is a list of organizations and individuals who have sent letters of support for the KHPA health reform recommendations:

AARPAmerican Academy of Pediatrics, KS ChapterAmerican Heart AssociationArthritis Foundation, Kansas ChapterChildren's Mercy Family Health PartnersCommunity Health Council of Wyandotte CountyCommunity Health Assessment Process (CHAP)Decatur Heath Systems, IncDickinson County Health DepartmentFamily Health Care ServicesGreater Kansas City Chamber of CommerceKansas Academy of Family PhysiciansKansas Advocates for Better CareKansas Area Agencies on Aging AssociationKansas Association of Local Health DepartmentsKansas Association of Osteopathic MedicineKansas Association of the Medically UnderservedKansas Cardiovascular Disease Adv. CouncilKansas State Stroke Task ForceKansas Comprehensive Cancer Control PartnershipKansas Faith Alliance for Health ReformKansas Foundation for Medical CareKansas Health Care for AllKansas Health Consumer CoalitionKansas Hospital AssociationKansas Kidney CoalitionKansas Medical SocietyKansas Public Health AssociationKU Medical CenterMidAmerica Coalition on Health Oral Health KansasSouth Central Kansas Area Agency on AgingStormont-Vail Health CareSusan G. Komen for the CureTobacco Free Kansas CoalitionUnified Government Public Health DepartmentVia Christi Health SystemWichita Black Nurses AssociationWichita County Health CenterWichita Medical Research & Education FoundationWyandotte Safety Net Clinics CoalitionJohn Zutavern, Health Reform Advisory CouncilTheola Cooper, Health Reform Advisory CouncilMitzi E. McFatrich, Kansas Advocates for Better CareLinda J. De Coursey, American Heart AssociationLynn Doeden, Decature Health Systems, Inc.Wendy Funk Schrag, Kansas Kidney CoalitionLisa Benlon, Tobacco Free Kansas CoalitionJanis Goedeke/Elaine Schwartz, Kansas Public Health Association, Inc.Teresa R. Schwab, Oral Health KansasWilliam L. Bruning, Mid-America Coalition on Health CareLinda Davies, Dickinson County Health DepartmentSharon Lee, Family Health Care, Carolyn Gaughan, Kansas Academy of Family PhysiciansRobert R. Williams, Kansas Association of Osteopathic MedicinePatricia Hunter, Jabsas Association of Local Health DepartmentsCraig Kaberline, Meeting the Needs of Older KansansKevin P. Conlin, Via Christi Health SystemsPeggy L. Johnson, Wichita Medical Research and Education FoundationMarjorie E. Holland, Individual on behalf of the Kansas Orthopedic InstituteCathy Harding, Kansas Association for the Medically UnderservedVicki Hahn, Wichita County Health CenterGary Doolittle/Peggy Johnson, Kansas Comprehensive Cancer Control PartnershipCharlie Porter/John Terry, Kansas Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention ProgramMichael Mayberry, Community Health CouncilTeresa Carter, Susan G. Komen for the CureDavid C. Goering, Kansas Health Care for All