Answering the Key Questions of Health Care Reform
If one reads through the different bills and proposals in Congress, it becomes clear that under all the current versions of health reform, Americans will pay more and get less.
Why a 'Public Option' Is Hazardous to Your Health
Cato scholar Michael F. Cannon shows that government programs cost more and deliver lower-quality care than private insurance.
Proposed Health Care Reform Bills
Below are links to health care reform bills that have been proposed.
- Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act
- Common Sense Health Care Reform and Affordability Act
- Affordable Healthcare for America Act
- America's Healthy Future Act
- The Senate HELP Bill
- America's Affordable Health Choices Act (summary here)
- The Patients' Choice Act of 2009
- Improving Health Care for All Americans Act
- Empowering Patients First Act
Despite New Deficit-Cutting Claim, Baucus Bill Is Just Tax-and-Spend
The Senate Finance Committee's version of health care reform is being hailed as a model of bipartisan moderation. In reality, the Finance Committee bill still represents a radical government takeover of the U.S. health care system.
Providing Secure Health Insurance to American Consumers
"I hope we can agree that private insurers do not deserve the sort of massive bailout represented by proposals to make private health insurance compulsory," testified Cato scholar Michael F. Cannon before the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
A Look at National Health Care Systems Around the World
Critics of the U.S. health care system frequently point to other countries as models for reform. However, a closer look shows that nearly all health care systems worldwide are wrestling with problems of rising costs and lack of access to care. The answer then to America’s health care problems lies not in heading down the road to national health care but in learning from the experiences of other countries.
What the Failure of the "Massachusetts Model" Tells Us about Health Care Reform
If you are curious about how President Obama's health plan would affect your health care, look no farther than Massachusetts. In 2006, the Bay State enacted a slate of reforms that almost perfectly mirror the plan of Obama and congressional Democrats.
Cato Institute Conference on Health Care Reform
On June 17, the Cato Institute assembled an outstanding group of recognized experts and distinguished speakers for a significant one-day examination of the issues surrounding this year's health care reform effort.
Better, more affordable health care requires free-market reforms: the freedom to purchase health plans across state lines; tax reforms like "large" health savings accounts; making health insurance portable, controlled by the individual rather than government or an employer; making medical licenses portable, and more. Please use this website to expand and enhance your understanding of health care reform, and for details on free market solutions, click here.
Featured Video: Cato Scholars Dissect Obama's ABC Special
Health Care in the News
- "Healthcare: is 'mandatory insurance' unconstitutional?" – Politico
- "Reform Bill Will Address GOP Fear" – Washington Post
- "Politics trumps policy in health debate" – Politico
- "Health Care: Why Not The Market?" – NPR
- "Obama's Push for Health Care Reform May Use Up His Political Capital" – FoxNews.com
- "Economic uptick plays key role in health care debate" – CNN.com
Featured Books
Healthy Competition
The best and worst ideas in health care reform – from both the right and the left.
Medicare Meets Mephistopheles
A satirical, thorough look at how Medicare may be the greatest trick the devil has ever played.
Crisis of Abundance
The marvels of modern medicine -- how do we pay for them?