title: Where does the insurance industry stand on health reform today?
abstract: With another national health care debate on the horizon, many assume that health plans will present a major source of opposition to universal coverage and other reforms. But a closer look reveals signs of change. Some plans continue their reflexive opposition to increasing government's role in health care; other plans have stepped forward to advocate meaningful reform. Experience in Massachusetts, California, Minnesota, and elsewhere suggests a clear lesson for policymakers. Sensible proposals and a genuine commitment to cooperation can not only neutralize opposition from a potentially powerful opponent, but can actually bring health plans on board to support coverage mandates, guaranteed issue, and other reforms.
authors.affiliation: Blue Shield of California, San Francisco, USA. Bodaken@blueshieldca.com
authors.forename: Bruce G
authors.initials: BG
authors.lastname: Bodaken
mesh_terms: D018166:Health Care Reform / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D006801:Humans; D007348:Insurance, Health / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000639:trends; D017057:Medically Uninsured / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011050:Policy Making; D014481:United States; D019472:Universal Health Insurance / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000458:organization & administration