Lessons from Medicare and Medicaid

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So this week’s question from the Washington Post RX Blog was:

Do you think that a government-sponsored health insurance option is needed to help control rising costs and "keep insurers honest," as President Obama says?

My response is now live: Lessons from Medicare and Medicaid.

My main points:

· How will another government-managed option be better at building a health system that works for the 21st Century than the one we already have (Medicare and Medicaid)?

· While these programs began with admiral goals and are politically popular, in reality, over the past 40 years, they have done littleto control costs or drive innovation.

· What's needed is a new frameworkto drive innovation, better value, improved outcomes and increased access.

Please feel free to comment with your own thoughts on the public option.