Levy questions Obama's cost assumptions

Paul Levy, president and CEO of Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, was among health care leaders offering first thoughts on a New York Times blog gathering reaction to President Obama's speech before Congress last night.

While the president said widening access to coverage will be paid for by increased efficiency from public and private insurers and health care providers, Levy says that expanded access will cost more.

"I think this gives a false impression that access to insurance, our highest priority, can be delivered at no additional cost to society," Levy says. "If providing access is a national priority, we should pay for it with money and not speculative savings. Eliminating the current tax exemption for employer-sponsored insurance is the most equitable way to do this and would raise over $200 billion per year in a manner consistent with the progressive federal income tax system."