Rationing in Abundance

In an L.A. Times editorial, Doyle McManus points out two ways in which rationing occurs now: First, we ration health insurance. We make affordable insurance available to some people but not to others. Second, our insurers — insurance companies or the government,...

Momentum Builds: Call for Fundamental Reform

In his column in today’s New York Times, David Brooks calls for fundamental health reform, writing: “The longer the health care debate goes on, the more I become convinced that the American system needs fundamental reform. We need to transition away from a...

The Way We Die Now

In his September 23rd New York Times column, Pacific Northwest resident Timothy Egan writes about end-of-life decisions made by John Kitzhaber’s mother: PORTLAND, Ore. —– In the last days of her life, Annabel Kitzhaber had a decision to make: she could be the...

Big Food vs Big Insurance

Jounalist and college professor Michael Pollan contributed a hugely important bit of writing to the health reform debate on September 9th. His New York Times Op-Ed, “Big Food vs. Big Insurance,” eloquently lays out why this national discussion needs to be...

The Naked Economist: Why Health Care is Different

n his “The Naked Economist” column, Charles Wheelen poses the fundamental question, “Why do we need a health care system, and what should be it’s guiding principles?” He says: Health care is different from all other basic needs because...