Making the Critical Choices

Abstract

[T]he debate over the need for a national health plan has intensified....This article seeks to simplify the debate by identifying the critical choices that account for the main features of any national health plan. Although the plans differ in many ways, we believe there are essentially just seven issues that must be decided. In the first part of the article, we examine each of the critical issues, considering their implications for the health care system. We also describe the positions of those who favor and oppose each approach to these choices....The second part of the article presents tabular summaries of the proposals put forth by presidential candidates and members of Congress, proposals by national associations and prominent health care experts that have appeared in the