Soon our new Congress and president will address our nation's health-care challenges, including projected costs that are expected to rise dramatically, as reported in "Medicaid spending outpaces growth of the U.S. economy" (Tribune, Oct. 21). Cost containment should always be a priority, but we cannot allow it to become a barrier to reform or allow ourselves to become bogged down by the process of reform.

We need to make sure that reform of our health system prioritizes quality of care and patient outcomes. Here in Utah, for example, the American College of Cardiology has teamed up with the American Hospital Association and others in the Pursuing Excellence in Cardiac Care program, which establishes treatment guidelines for hospitalized patients with coronary artery disease and heart failure.

Adherence to these quality performance measures at the point of care ensures that appropriate post-discharge care is delivered to improve patient outcomes.

Invariably, better outcomes translate into reduced health-care costs.

A.G. Kfoury, M.D.

Utah governor

American College of Cardiology

Salt Lake City