Identifies some of the key players lined up to debate a health care reform bill this summer, highlighting concerns about the immense cost of such reform. A fair preview of what will surely become louder disagreements in coming weeks.

Health care reform issues can be very confusing. This piece attempts to bring clarity by focusing on only two issues, but I didn't find it particularly elucidating. More clear, though also more partisan, is Ezra Klein's piece in the Washington Post (see links)

The wall street journal is so modest ....they don't take credit for offering major thorns. Never mind debunking the dumb blinders, look the other way, corporate (health care/insurance) owned government's complete ignore the will of the citizens.

There is some good background on some thorny details. Single payer is not mentioned. Insurance company attempts to kill the health care bill are not so categorized. The nationwide outrage at dropping single payer is not mentioned.

Effectively repeats Democratic and Republican talking points about the battle to change health insurance with no mention of single payer or of an increased reliance on primary care that would dramatically reduce the cost of health care by increasing preventive care, decreasing emergency department visits, and decreasing duplication of tests. Democrats say/Republicans say, but without independent analysis by the authors.

What possible business does the insurance industry have meddling in the practice of medicine? (Hint: KA-CHING!) And why does the media so studiously avoid asking this question? Until the insurance industry is summarily removed from the equation, there can be no substantive change to the disconnected system of health care options which currently confound Americans. The huge disparity in fees, premiums, reimbursements, allowed services, and 'reasonable and customary" treatments ... More »