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Healthcare Reform
Healthcare reform is a general rubric used for discussing major policy creation or changes --for the most part, governmental policy --that affects healthcare delivery in a given place. Health care reform typically attempts to:
* Broaden the population covered by private or public health insurance
* Expand the array of health care providers consumers may choose among
* Improve the access to health care specialists
* Improve the quality of health care
* Decrease the cost of health care
News Articles & White Papers
Many Doctors, Many Tests, No Rhyme or Reason, March 11, 2008, by Sandeep Jauhar, MD, The New York Times Jauhar, MD, The New York Times
Though accurate data is lacking, the overuse of services in health care probably cost hundreds of billions of dollars last year, out of the more than $2 trillion that Americans spent on health. Are we getting our money’s worth? Not according to the usual measures of public health. The United States ranks 45th in life expectancy, behind Bosnia and Jordan; near last, compared with other developed countries, in infant mortality; and in last place, according to the Commonwealth Fund, a health-care research group, among major industrialized countries in health-care quality, access and efficiency. (full story)
Expanding health insurance coverage and choice: The AMA proposal for health insurance reform
This booklet provides an overview of the AMA proposal, and explains the three pillars of their proposal in a concise and easy-to-read format. (PDF)
Final Report - Executive Summary for CO The Blue Ribbon Commission for Health Care Reform
Described as a bold yet realistic package of recommendations for health reform. These recommendations are linked together in a comprehensive package that can be implemented in stages. The Commission's final report details these recommendations. It also includes information on five alternative proposals evaluated by the Commission, as well as background information on the uninsured and health care costs in Colorado. (PDF)
External Links
The following are links to articles and websites that discuss our current healthcare crisis and discuss various reform options. This information is provided for education purposes.
Website: Colorado Commission on Healthcare Reform, the Commission's goal is to increase coverage and reduce cost for Colorado residents.
U.S. Presidential Candidates' Health Care Plans Update: A Side-by-Side Comparison, January 2, 2008, The Huffington Post, Rear Admiral Susan J. Blumenthal, M.D., M.P.A
Health Care Reading List from the Cato Institute, Prepared by Michael Cannon
California's Health Care Reform Discussion: A Non-Partisan, Unbiased Review
Video: Universal Health Care Coverage in the United States, October 3, 2007, Woodrow Wilson Center event featuring Robin Cook (novelist), James Morone, Michael Cannon, and Paul Seltman.
States Moving Towards Comprehensive Health Care Reform in the U.S., February 7, 2008, The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation
2008 Presidential Candidate Health Plan Report Card issued by the National Physicians Alliance
Website: Health08.org, Analysis of health care issues addressed by the presidential candidates, The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation
Website: Governors Office of Health Care Reform, Governor Rendell’s “Prescription for Pennsylvania”
Website: Coalition to Advance Healthcare Reform
Website: National Coalition on Heathcare
Webiste: Voice for the Unisured, The American Medical Association (AMA) dedicated website that outlines the AMA's plan for coverage for all.
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