Newswise — As the White House touts deals with health industry groups as solutions to pay for an overhaul of the nation's health care system, physicians and leaders from the top-ranked University of Michigan health system are available to comment on the reform efforts.

Please consider contacting these health professionals, who can provide expert commentary on health care policies.

John D. Birkmeyer, M.D., is a University of Michigan professor of Surgery and director of M-SCORE, Michigan's Surgical Collaborative for Outcomes Research and Evaluation. Dr. Birkmeyer can discuss health care reform's impacts on Medicare expenditures, claims data analysis and value-based purchasing strategies in surgery. He chairs the expert panel on evidence-based hospital referral for the Leapfrog Group, a large coalition of public and private health care purchasers.

Caroline S. Blaum, M.D., is the University of Michigan's associate chief of geriatric medicine and an associate professor for both internal medicine and at the university's Institute of Gerontology. She has extensively researched Medicare costs and has expertise in transitional care and services for frail and vulnerable senior citizens.

Richard C. Boothman is chief risk officer for the University of Michigan Health Systems and has implemented a pro active and principled approach to health system claims that quickly drew attention for successfully reducing claims and costs. He has testified before U.S. Senate committees and been active in health care reform research.

A. Mark Fendrick, M.D., is co-director of the University of Michigan Center for Value-Based Insurance Design and professor in the departments of Internal Medicine and Health Management and Policy. Dr. Fendrick can discuss cost effective ways to reform health care. He currently serves on the Medicare Coverage Advisory Committee and is the co-editor in chief of The American Journal of Managed Care.

Gilbert S. Omenn, M.D., is a University of Michigan professor of internal medicine, human genetics and public health and was executive vice president for Medical Affairs and chief executive officer of the university's health system 1997-2002. He can discuss what he calls the complex combination of affordable, high-quality, and universal health care, as well as the unsustainable path of current and projected healthcare spending.

Marianne Udow-Phillips, is U-M's director of the Center for Healthcare Research & Transformation and is recognized nationally as a health care reform expert. She also has served as director of the Michigan Department of Human Services and worked for 20 years in leadership roles at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan.

Allison B. Rosen, M.D., is a University of Michigan assistant professor of Internal Medicine and clinical director of the U-M Center for Value-Based Insurance Design. She can discuss how to measure and improve the value of U.S. health care spending, with a particular focus on the feasibility and effectiveness of linking medical coverage to value. She is leading the evaluation of a U-M trial of targeted value-based co-payment reductions for UM employees with diabetes.

David Spahlinger, M.D., is the University of Michigan's executive medical director of the university's faculty group practice. He has extensive knowledge about various health care reform proposals and the potential impact on hospitals and physician groups. His specialty is internal medicine.

Jeanne M. Malouin, M.D., is the University of Michigan's associate medical director for ambulatory care services and an assistant professor in the university's department of family medicine. She can comment on how health care reform might impact health care information technology, women's health, preventative medicine and primary care.