The author provides a thoughtful, problem-based solution without arguing against access to healthcare and without discarding a role for government including vouchers to all Americans for a free checkup every two years and regulation to require quality and transparency. One of the most interesting pieces I've read. Thanks, Walter for submitting this. Not sure how we would ever accomplish this--or world peace. That doesn't mean we shouldn't try. But what I'm not sure of is whether folks w. health savings accounts might defer treatment that in some cases would cause greater illness--self rationing, but w. the same outcome that is no whappening w. private insurance. I've linked to some related articles and a rebuttal by Judy ... More »

A fascinating first-person account of a man whose father died from an infection he got in a hospital. Goldhill considers the costs of insurance, and makes a strong case against the moral hazard of third-party payer health care.

a very articulate, rational argument on why and particularly, how, to reform health care. written from a businessman's perspective, the writer brings important concepts to reform issues, from the current incentives which raise costs to consumer education, in making his primary argument that the government's role should not be to pay medical costs, but other aspects of reform.

An exhaustive--and exhausting--analysis of the American healthcare system. A thoroughly original view of how we got to where we are today, and especially the economic distortions that have fueled our journey. NOT a partisan, pro-Obamacare/ anti-Obamacare piece: author David Goldhill is coming from an entirely different place. A must read for any thinking American.

Wow! I kept thinking as I read, of the contrast to the opinion piece penned for the Wall Street Journal by Whole Foods CEO John Mackey. Both propose a similar solution. If anything Goldhill's is a more extreme departure from current systems. But because he really did his research, truly supports his arguments, and fully thought this through, Goldhill's is a MUCH more effective piece.

It is, unfortunately, not unusual to see this type of juxtaposition of facts and unsubstantiated opinions in such an extensive listing that the medically unsophisticated reader might get the misimpression that there could be something resembling quality journalism present. Unfortunately, this isn't.

An extraordinary thoughtful and well-reasoned article that actually informs the issue rather than dogging it for sensationalism. The national debate on healthcare reform is so fraught with special interest lobbying and ill-considered ideology , that a piece like this blows through the rabble like a cool ocean breeze on a stifling summer afternoon. Absolutely first-rate opinion with well-argued suggestions for cutting through the Gordian knot that is healthcare in America.

Excellent work on current health care. No wonder David Brooks recommends it.

David Goldhill asks questions about our health 'care' system and arrives and some interesting conclusions. By far the easiest to read and informative look at what the problems are and how to fix them.

This is a very thorough and thought provoking article.