Health care reform: The process and the outcome

Health Care Reform has been the buzz-word in Washington since March 5, 2009, when President Obama convened a Health Care Summit at the White House. At that time, the President declared that against many people's advice, he intended to address health care reform this year. He was leaving it up to Congress to resolve many of controversial issues, such as individual/employer mandates, private health insurance regulation, and the creation of a public plan option. Although single payer reform was not “on the table” throughout the debate, it has been the “elephant under the table,” raised in house parties, town hall meetings, Congressional hearings, public demonstrations, even civil disobedience. By the November annual meeting of the APHA, the fate of health care reform may be known. This session will explore the history of the reform process over the past year, the outcome or projected outcome in terms of health care financing and delivery system reorganization, and outline proposed single payer strategy and actions for the future.