Thoughts On Healthcare Reform -- The Process, Why So Much Media Coverage?

The Huffington Post—January 20, 2010

By Helene Pavlov, M.D., FACR, Radiologist-in-Chief at Hospital for Special Surgery

While having dinner at a local restaurant the other day I overheard heated conversation about healthcare reform. What I thought was going to be a debate on what was needed or what was being stated by the different political camps, turned out to be completely different.

The conversation turned out to be a slam on the media and the overload of information related to healthcare reform in the news. The woman asked... "When will all this discussion be over with?" The entire table, of what appeared to be well educated individuals, echoed her disgust. Not wanting to ruin my dinner nor theirs, I did not interject my opinions. What I wanted to tell them was that the discussion on healthcare reform was just beginning and that we are all witnessing a piece of American history, somewhat like "The New Deal" formulated to get America out of the Depression.

The current process of trying to institute healthcare reform has the potential of completely changing the way healthcare is accessed for everyone. America is at the precipice of change. We are witnessing the beauty of democracy, with the final result ultimately affecting something crucial for everyone, in one way or another. This is a process that should not be rushed and will most probably be in a state of flux if (or when) it is subsequently passed into law.

The conversations and debates need input from all those who will be ultimately impacted by both the delivery and the receiving of healthcare. Hence, we should try and absorb as much information as possible, participate in the process and by all means allow this conversation and change to take place.

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