BOSTON -- The diagnosis is unanimous. The American health care system is sick: too costly, uneven in quality, and inaccessible for too many citizens. As all the players debate proposals for reform, we suggest emphasis on at least five areas. First, establish a national standard for electronic medical records.

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Accurate sharing of information cuts down on medical errors and reduces unnecessary tests and procedures.

Second, allocate more resources for outcomes research. We need to know if new drugs and devices will work before hospitals and doctors invest millions in them.

Third, make primary care an attractive career choice for new doctors. We have four times more specialists than primary care physicians in this country. Reverse that statistic with higher salaries, tuition subsidies, and other incentives.

Fourth, create a federal board to oversee our medical system. An organization with powers akin to the Federal Reserve can take the politics out of medicine and standardize pricing, procedures and protocols.

Finally, enact serious tort reform. Malpractice insurance costs cripple doctors and medical centers and lead to defensive medicine. We are all healthier when doctors can spend more time on patient care and less time in court. Comprehensive health care reform is a difficult task, but can no longer be delayed. The cost of inaction is literally too high