• tort reform - Tort reform commonly refers to laws passed on a state-by-state basis which place limits or caps on the type or amount of damages that may be awarded in personal injury lawsuits. (from definitions.uslegal.com)
• mandate reduction - as a response to government mandating (setting a limit on) the amount they will reimburse doctors who treat Medicare and Medicaid patients, mandate reduction suggests eliminating that reimbursement limit
• interstate insurance purchasing - Interstate insurance refers to the selling of health insurance across state lines. Currently residents have to purchase health insurance from a company that offers policies in the state they are residents of. Each state regulates how the health insurance companies in their state are managed, such as what benefits are offered and access to coverage. Some experts agree that selling insurance across state lines through interstate insurance would open up competition and reduce overall health insurance costs. (from about.com)
• health savings accounts - A Health Savings Account is an alternative to traditional health insurance; it is a savings product that offers a different way for consumers to pay for their health care. HSAs enable you to pay for current health expenses and save for future qualified medical and retiree health expenses on a tax-free basis. (from treas.gov)

1. Who/what does Ron Meyer blame for the high cost of health insurance? Be specific.

2. Democratic politicians criticize the profits made by insurance companies, pharmaceutical companies and doctors, and say these profits need to be reduced.
a) Why is profit made by a company/industry good for consumers? (see para. 6-7)
b) How will a paying doctors less money hurt patients? (para. 9)
c) What will be the result of government reducing the profit pharmaceutical companies can make?

3. The media continues to repeat the Democratic assertion that "Republicans criticize Democrat health care reform, but don't offer any solutions of their own." What solutions does Ron Meyer offer to fix the high cost of medical insurance?

4. Ask a parent to read this article, and to give his/her opinion on it.