If policy makers feel it is unrealistic to pursue a single, comprehensive health care reform bill next year, what should incremental or phased-in reform look like?
What are the essential components of incremental or phased-in reform, and in what order must they be implemented, to build the infrastructure that a reformed system requires?
Where does reauthorization of the State Children's Health Insurance Program fit in?
With expensive health care reform proposals questionable for next year, some in Washington are giving a second, more serious look to ideas for changing the tax treatment of health care.
GOP presidential nominee John McCain, President Bush, and Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., all have health care tax proposals, and members of both parties acknowledge the current system isn't ideal. Is there a sensible way to change the tax treatment of health care that would be palatable to both Republicans and Democrats?
During last Tuesday night's presidential debate, the candidates were asked whether they see health care as a right, a privilege or a responsibility. Barack Obama called it a right. John McCain said it's a responsibility. Massachusetts last year implemented an innovative program that treats health insurance as both a right and a responsibility for all residents of the commonwealth.
What elements of a Massachusetts-style health program, if any, could Congress embrace as part of health care reform next year?
As economic and budgetary problems take center stage in Washington, how will the new president and members of Congress have to adjust their approach to health care reform? Does this mean a smaller package, or perhaps none at all?
While some wonder if the government can now afford to move forward with comprehensive health care reform next year, others wonder if the government can afford not to proceed with significant changes. Health care reform can be expensive (Barack Obama's plan is estimated to cost $50 billion to $60 billion a year). Still, health care has strong ties to the economy. Today, 46 million Americans are uninsured, and health care costs continue to rise at an alarming rate.
