'The Business of Health Care Report'

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I’m Doug Hawthorne, CEO of Texas Health Resources, with “The Business of Health Care Report.”

Health care reform is shaping up to be a key issue for the 2008 presidential election. The U.S. health care crisis will be hotly debated in the months to come as candidates fine-tune their plans and debate their ideas before a national audience.

John Edwards’ plan includes requiring employers to cover employees and expanding government programs like Medicaid and the State Children's Health Insurance Plan.

Barack Obama proposes universal coverage and a health care system that minimizes costs by utilizing health information technology and providing better chronic disease management.

Hillary Clinton plans to make health insurance a requirement for all by rolling back tax cuts for people who earn more than $250,000 a year and achieving savings in the existing health care system.

Rudy Giuliani and Mitt Romney believe that since most Americans currently have coverage, the more important issue will be the cost of health care and the value received for the dollar. They are proposing market-based solutions.

I am encouraged by the wealth of ideas. But make no mistake, health care is not a partisan issue. It is a community issue, and it demands the attention of not only government, business leaders, and the healthcare industry, but of every individual in our society. I encourage you to take an active role in this important national debate.

For Texas Health Resources and its faith-based hospitals – Harris Methodist, Presbyterian and Arlington Memorial – I’m Doug Hawthorne.