October 2009

Problems with inflation of medical costs and increased numbers of uninsured individuals have resulted in widespread calls for reform of the U.S. health care system. Proposed reforms have generally emphasized increased regulation of the medical and insurance industries, but disputes over the cost and consequences of these proposal has so far prevented legislation from being passed. This paper’ is presented from an alternative perspective that views the current symptoms on cost and access as the results of decades of Hawed public policy, rather than government inaction. We trace the origins of dysfunctional health care markets in prior public policy, and outline an approach to healing the health care system based on a new dedication to free market principles and individual choice.