Innovations in care delivery and President Obama's signature health law are transforming American medicine for the better, the top U.S. health official said Tuesday.



In wide-ranging remarks to a medical conference in Washington, D.C., Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius Kathleen SebeliusThe Hill's Coronavirus Report: Mike Roman says 3M on track to deliver 2 billion respirators globally and 1 billion in US by end of year; US, Pfizer agree to 100M doses of COVID-19 vaccine that will be free to Americans The Hill's Coronavirus Report: Former HHS Secretary Sebelius gives Trump administration a D in handling pandemic; Oxford, AstraZeneca report positive dual immunity results from early vaccine trial Coronavirus Report: The Hill's Steve Clemons interviews Kathleen Sebelius MORE thanked physicians for tolerating the challenges of a changing U.S. healthcare system.



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"I understand that the change is not easy," Sebelius told members of the American Medical Association. "As we transition into an era of integrated, patient-centered care, it's inevitable that there will be some growing pains. But I do think that moving forward is the only option."

Sebelius cited accountable care organizations, bundled payment initiatives and electronic health records among the areas where innovations have led to lower costs and "significant, measurable improvements in Americans' health."



"The state of American healthcare is getting stronger," she said. "These are no longer isolated pilots. They are becoming the face of American medicine."



To applause, Sebelius called for Congress to reform doctors' Medicare payments. She indicated that current legislative efforts to repeal the sustainable growth rate formula could bear fruit in the next term.





