A volatile issue to say the least, the role of government in healthcare reform in the United States has been a politically divisive one for decades. Those in favor of the government exercising more control of the American healthcare system argue that healthcare is a right for all citizens and the federal government has a duty to guarantee it is universally available. Those against government regulation of healthcare contend that the American healthcare system has become the greatest in the world precisely because private organizations funded it without much government interference, which will only result in an inferior system inhibited by red tape and which will only provide mediocre health care.

If your company has a vested interest in joining this heated debate, your best bet is to forego the tendency to follow party lines and just dive into the subject without any preconceived ideas. You’ll get the most out of this research on government and healthcare by taking the following steps:

1. Find out how government regulated healthcare has worked in other countries.

2. Decide what, if any, should be the role of government in healthcare reform.

3. Access reliable sources on government healthcare information.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Research government provided healthcare programs in Canada and Great Britain

Read about these countries' experiments with socialized medicine to discover the real pros and cons of the system.

I recommend: The Canadian government sponsors Health Canada, which publishes reports on the government’s health policies and strategies. You can also view audit reports on costing policies, fee guidelines, service standards and public reports. Directgov is a public service system that the British government’s website maintains. You can find official reports from Britain’s Department of Health concerning the government’s development and maintenance of its healthcare system.

Consider leading political commentary questioning the role of government in healthcare reform

Reading both sides of the issue can help you hone in on the pivotal facts.

I recommend: The Heritage Foundation publishes conservative political commentary that considers all sides of the issue on government control of health care. The Washington Post online contains insightful articles surveying the most well known arguments supporting government regulation of healthcare.

Get statistics on government healthcare information so you can make informed decisions

Before arguing government policies on healthcare in the United States, you'll need to decide for yourself whether or not the present system really needs reforming.

I recommend: The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services operates under the federal government to administer the country’s healthcare system and protect the health of its citizens. It provides government information on healthcare through press releases and newsroom publications so you can fully assess the present status of America's healthcare system. The United States Department of Labor offers consumer information that explains health coverage policies, benefits and state information on healthcare.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Before deciding what, if any, should be the role of government in healthcare reform, consider how much additional power you believe the federal government should get in making decisions about your life.