in by januarye 20, 2014. coming up, a conversation on hospitals and the new health care law. senator majority leader bill also a former surgeon. [applause] >> hello, everybody. theegrets for coming at time i did. i was supposed to be here a little earlier. becauseghted to be here this is such an important part of what "u.s. news & world report" does, which is to provide information of high intellectual content and activities that is almost unavailable in the country. beiously, we hope this will an exciting and provocative forum and we could not have asked for a more impressive and distinguished group of panelists. it is like looking at a who's who of hospitals. when i knew i was going to be late, i can only think of one other comment. said, this is the earliest he will ever be late. i want to thank people who have taken their time out from busy for many, which include improving and saving lives. we look forward to their thoughts and yours over the next three days. the hospital industry is undergoing momentous change in response to dramatic shifts in patient populations, soari