Has the Time Come for Universal Coverage?

Employers that do not offer or make a “meaningful” contribution to the cost of quality health coverage for their employees would be required to contribute a percentage of payroll toward the costs of a national plan, although some small employers would be exempt from that requirement. Parents would be required to provide coverage for their children.

For physicians, Obama's plan would strengthen comparative effectiveness research by establishing an independent institute to guide reviews and studies, giving physicians and patients up-to-date clinical information. Another part of his plan would strengthen antitrust laws to prevent insurers from overcharging physicians for their malpractice insurance and would work to improve systems that eliminate errors in patient care and safety. Again, nice bullet points, but crafting all his points into a workable solution for a majority of Congress will take some doing.

In our next column, we will look at what U.S. history and health plans in other countries can teach us about health reform.