The Health Care Reform Agenda

Health care reform has been on the national health policy agenda for some time but a major emphasis occurred during the Clinton administration. During this time, transformational health care reform was presented but failed. Since this strategic attempt to change our health care system, there have been numerous incremental health policy changes that have provided a foundation for transformational health care reform. An awareness has been created among the general public, our legislative officials, and stakeholders regarding the need for health care reform. The national health care policy agenda includes an awareness of the need to reduce health care cost; ensure affordable, quality health care for all Americans; provide our citizens with a choice on health care providers and health care institutions; and an emphasis on health prevention and wellness. The proposed transformational health care policy reform supports a collaborative shared relationship with shared responsibility between citizens, employers, small businesses, governmental entities, and the health care industry as a means to provide health care services and insurance coverage for all American citizens. The sustainability of a national health care plan that ensures some degree of health care services to all citizens must be a critical component of the health care reform agenda. The proposed health care initiatives have a primary care goal that will ensure that all American citizens have access to affordable, quality health care. The proposed Affordable Health Choices Act is legislation that attempts to emphasize health care choice, cost reduction, prevention, health system modernization, and the provision of long-term care and services. The current health care reform debate is continuing to shape the health policy agenda and provide a framework from which to discuss, debate, and initiate the formulation of national health care policy to transform our health care system. As men’s health care providers, it is our responsibility to remain informed and engaged in the formulation of the national health care policy reform. This presents an opportunity for men’s health care providers to critically analyze and consider the restructuring of our current health care programs and systems to embrace men’s health. This may be a window of opportunity to address a major determinant of men’s health in this country, access to care. These health care policy initiatives will require an expanded diverse health care workforce. As health care providers interested in men’s health, this is an excellent window of opportunity to promote the development of a men’s health clinical specialization with defined health care outcomes.