Wednesday, April 16, 2008
9:00 a.m. -10:30 a.m.

Audio Recording

Current health policy debates raise claims that various proposals to expand coverage would lead to a government takeover of the country’s health care system. Such proposals, their critics say, include congressional bills in 2007 dealing with children’s coverage and the health platforms of leading Democratic candidates for president. Similar claims surfaced during debates over health reform in the 1990s and the creation of Medicare in the 1960s.

This forum explores the meaning and implications of the arguments about socialized medicine. A new paper from the Urban Institute’s John Holahan and Stan Dorn examining the issue will serve as a springboard for what promises to be a lively conversation.

Our expert panel will consider such questions as

• In Congress and on the campaign trail, which proposals (if any) would move the nation significantly toward socialized medicine?
• Where does the country’s current health care system belong on the spectrum between an entirely government-run system and one that embodies pure free-market principles?
• What concerns underlie popular opposition to government-run health care? Would they be triggered by any pending proposals? And are those concerns valid?
• How should the public and policymakers evaluate health reform proposals? Is the role of government an important question or a diversion from other issues?
  

Panelists:

• Susan Dentzer, health correspondent, The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer; incoming editor in chief, HealthAffairs (moderator)
  
• Stan Dorn, senior research associate, Health Policy Center, Urban Institute; coauthor, “Are We Headed toward Socialized Medicine?”
• John Holahan, director, Health Policy Center, Urban Institute; coauthor, “Are We Headed toward Socialized Medicine?”
• Len Nichols, director, Health Policy Program, New America Foundation; former senior advisor for health policy, Office of Management and Budget
• Gail Wilensky, senior fellow, Project HOPE; former administrator, Health Care Financing Administration (Medicare and Medicaid)
  

Resources

- Bios
- Are We Headed Toward Socialized Medicine? (PowerPoint)