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Note . . . this month’s Minute includes a series of links to sources in the news media and elsewhere expressing a wide variety of viewpoints from different factions involved in the “vigorous” healthcare reform debate to collectively provide an overview of current opinion. The views expressed are not necessarily reflective of views held by PBN or PBN employees.

Healthcare Reform Legislation Debate Rages on . . . Whether President Obama’s healthcare reform initiative ends up including a “public option” (which some lawmakers see as a critical component), or results in a compromise plan that favors non-profit healthcare co-ops, after all the shouting is done, all the misinformation is fact checked, and the many health care reform petitions right and left signed and delivered to congress, none of the current approaches look very practical.

Why not?

The main reforms proposed are not politically viable—President Obama’s plan asks 1% of the population to fund at least part of the program for many years to come; the NPO Healthcare Co-op alternative proposed by conservatives presumes an unrealistic Davey and Goliath scenario where tiny non-profits expand to the size of the few giant healthcare insurance providers and that this will somehow level the playing field.

Efficiency is the Only Answer . . . everything else is just politics.

The more sensible points made early in the debate, like the need to find and correct inefficiencies in the current system to help pay for reforms, have all but disappeared from the discussion. But finding and correcting inefficiencies and reaping the savings is the only practical alternative. If we must propose more radical systemic changes, how can we live with the political and actual costs?

It’s clear something will happen and soon.

Now, as explained in last month’s Minute, is the time to pay attention to the debate (read the links to the articles above), and let your opinion be heard before the debate is over and legislation is passed.

Finally . . . </4>

Let’s hope the tone, tenor, and substance of this important debate moves back to questioning what’s practical and what’s not, what saves money and what doesn’t, and, as in any good debate, returns to a focus on finding alternatives that work.

For more information, contact David Gaston, PBN Business Development, 800.288.4901,

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