Senate bill seeks panel to battle healthcare costs. (Healthcare Quarterly)

WASHINGTON -- Tax legislation approved two weeks ago by a Senate panel would establish a national commission to recommend ways to control soaring healthcare costs.

Business groups welcomed the prospect of a commission of employers, unions and consumers as a first step toward developing national strategies to control medical costs that are rising faster than the rate of inflation.

"We're encouraged by this proposal," said Rick Smith, director of public policy at the Washington Business Group on Health. "The commission could serve as a forum to work out cost-control