Maggie Mahar takes on rationing and admits that it has to happen:

Now that we seem to be reaching agreement that we no longer want to ration care according to ability to pay, we will have to begin discussing how to ration care some other way.

She further questions the focus on the latest and the greatest therapies to cheat death:

It strikes me that before we pour vast sums into customized medical care based on genome research, we might ask whether we, as a society, will be able to afford such care. Or will this be medicine only for the wealthiest few?

As a society, Americans are conditioned to “beat death.” With that mindset, it will be difficult for many to accept bare-bones coverage, a la Medicaid.

Unfortunately, the cost of covering everybody is going to be prohibitive. Those used to gold-plated health plans are likely to be disappointed with the proposed offerings that will come out with any major reform plan.

topics: universal coverage, rationing