Reform by modeling others...

Since United States' main issues are the amount of uninsured and inflated health care costs, United States could learn from Israel that:

- "Two factors have played a major role in the maintenance of a high level of coverage among the population: Membership dues were graduated by income and based on family status, and availability of services was founded on need, not ability to pay."

Because of historical and cultural reasons, I believe the second statement doesn't hold true in the United States, but should be. Health care in the United States has been left to the free market and therefore competes on ability to pay, not need. If the reform passes, health care in the United States will be limited in the free market by government.


Also, to design the insurance exchange component of the U.S. reform it could follow Israel's "basket of basic health services" guidelines:

- "Every resident must register as a member with one of the four sick funds."
(Individual mandate)

- "The sick funds may not bar applicants on any grounds, including age and state of health."
(no exclusion based on pre-existing conditions)

- "Equal status is accorded to all four sick funds."
(Not included in U.S. reform? I don't know exactly what this means...)

- "Health care services covered by the law" are predetermined.
(Public option)

Although, Israel has budget issues also.