From the ACA to Even Better Reform

Because health policy decision makers have different economic and political interests as well as different ideological persuasions, those committed to fairer and more comprehensive reform must be prepared to compromise in order to make progress toward their goals. The primary purpose of this essay is to describe a more nearly ideal health care system and identify factors that affect how patients and providers make utilization decisions. Having a clear vision of the ultimate goals to achieve will help participants in the political process to make compromises that advance the effort and to avoid those which undermine it.