health care reform
Changing medical systems
Health care reform refers to efforts to change a country's system for delivering and paying for medical services, typically through legislation or major policy shifts.
In American political discourse, the term became particularly prominent during debates over expanding insurance coverage, controlling costs, and improving access to care.
Reform proposals range from incremental adjustments to existing systems to wholesale restructuring, such as single-payer models.
The health care reform debate dominated the 2008 election cycle.
- universal coverageInsurance for entire population
- preventive screeningsHealth tests before illness
- insurance marketplacePlatform for buying coverage
- open enrollmentDesignated benefits signup window
- telemedicineRemote medical care delivery
single-payer system · vaccination programs · regulatory oversight · cost-sharing · community clinics · patient rights · town hall meeting · death panels · nurse practitioners · nutrition education · vote · red tape · pre-existing conditions · coverage gap · out-of-pocket costs · waiting · doctor · clipboard
- LBJ EraLBJ, Great Society, Vietnam War, War on Poverty, Civil Rights Act
- Presidential papersspeeches, press releases, press conferences, proclamations, memos
health care reformstatus quo
Existing condition of affairs
inaction · complacency · no change · gridlock · standing pat
health, care, reform, healthy, healthful, healthily, unhealthy, healthiness, healthier