What are some big issues in the health reform debate and what does the AAOS say about them?
PM: One big issue is the possible creation of a single-payor system, in which one entity, the federal government, would pay all healthcare expenses. None of the bills are proposing this, but that doesn’t stop a lot of people from talking about it. It scares a many people to death, notably the health insurers. There is a lack of unanimity within the AAOS Fellowship over single-payor, but most members are against it and our official position opposes single-payor. Many people also fear the possibility of rationing, even though the drafters of the current health reform bills say they are not calling for that. Of course, we already have rationing. It’s financial rationing: those who do not have insurance or have poor coverage cannot get all the care they need. A single-payor system, on the other hand, imposes waiting-in-line rationing. People would have insurance coverage but they still might not be able to get the care they need. Furthermore, if reforms reduce what people have to pay for h
