Washington is abuzz about health care reform. Both Congress and President Obama have made it a top priority, and there are a number of proposals making the rounds. But what will that bill look like, and who will shape it?
BILL MOYERS JOURNAL has been focusing on perspectives not being heard on Capitol Hill or on the major news outlets — from
popular plans left "off the table," like single payer, to the
powerful influence of the health care industry on the process.
In the video player below you can find BILL MOYERS JOURNAL's complete and continuing coverage of the health care reform debate. Links below that will take you to the
program pages that contain a wealth of resources and information about specific issues.
Additionally, you'll find
resources for making sense of the debate, including tips for following the money and a detailed comparison of the plans currently under consideration.
Wendell Potter With almost 20 years inside the health insurance industry, Wendell Potter saw for-profit insurers hijack our health care system and put profits before patients. Now, he speaks with Bill Moyers about how those companies are standing in the way of health care reform. (July 10, 2009)
Robert Reich Former Labor Secretary Robert Reich sits down with Bill Moyers to talk about the influence of lobbyists on policy, the economy, and the ongoing debate over health care. (June 12, 2009)
Reforming Health Care Washington's abuzz about health care, but why isn't a single-payer plan an option on the table? Public Citizen's Dr. Sidney Wolfe and Physicians for a National Health Program's Dr. David Himmelstein on the political and logistical feasibility of health care reform. (May 22, 2009)
Donna Smith Bill Moyers speaks with advocate Donna Smith about how our broken system is hurting ordinary Americans. (May 22, 2009)
California Nurses Association The California Nurses Association advocates a single payer national health insurance system. (May 5, 2008)
Melody Petersen Melody Petersen talks with Bill Moyers about her new book OUR DAILY MEDS, and how drug companies market medication. (May 16, 2008)
FRONTLINE: "Sick Around the World"FRONTLINE travels to five other wealthy capitalist democracies — Great Britain, Japan, Germany, Taiwan, and Switzerland — to find out how they provide health care to all of their citizens far a fraction of the cost of the U.S. system.
Side-by-side comparison the major health care reform proposals. Assembled and frequently updated by The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation.
Following the Money: Health CareUse this BILL MOYERS JOURNAL guide to trace campaign contributions, ad spending and the revolving door between industry and government.
The Health Care Reform PlansUse this BILL MOYERS JOURNAL guide to follow the debate over the many health care plans.
Documents
During his
interview with Wendell Potter, Bill Moyers read from confidential documents drafted by America's Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) in May and June of 2007. The documents outline a unified strategy for AHIP members to prepare for the release of Michael Moore's documentary, SICKO on June 29, 2007.
You can download and read the full AHIP documents by clicking
here and
here (PDFs).
The Language of Health Care 2009 (PDF)The Frank Luntz memo strategizing opposition to health care reform Bill Moyers mentions in the interview.
GOP Health Care Strategy (PDF)Strategy memo by Alex Castellanos dated July 7, 2009.
Congressional Budget Office reports
The Congressional Budget Office has released a number of documents on health care reform plans. The CBO's director also maintains a blog.
