Post Proposals for Reform

Each team posts several separate proposals for health care reform related to the team's topic. Since one group member has written the topic overview, each of the remaining team members should write one post proposing a reform.

Each proposal-for-reform post must include descriptions of a problem or opportunity, an actor(s), scope of impact, action to be taken, influence on cost, influence on access, and influence on quality. The post should end with a clearly stated referendum.

Problems represent current difficulties with cost, quality, or access; opportunities are chances to lower cost, increase quality, or improve access.

Actors include Congress, federal or state regulators (FDA, CMS, new agencies etc.), President, private insurance companies, professional associations, private industries(supplies, pharmaceuticals, devices, etc.), governors of the states, state legislatures, employers, unions, large regional health systems, etc.

Scope is individual, organizational, local, regional, state, and national.

Actions include law, enforcement, clinical practice, standards of care, funding for different types of goods and services, taxation, coverage of populations, targeted services, allowed goods and services, etc.

Influence on cost, quality, or access should be explained and quantified when possible; cite other sources to support your claims.

Example of a clearly worded referendum: Congress should pass legislation defining, supporting, and enabling universal access to primary care for all residents of the United States.