Special Interests Want To Shape Reform

Special interest groups are going to great lengths for the chance to participate in health reform. According to the Associated Press, the pharmaceutical industry and hospitals have both agreed to give up billions of dollars now in order to protect their interests in the future. Providers are especially interested in ensuring that if healthcare reform includes a public plan option, payment rates are comparable to those provided by private insurance plans rather than Medicare rates.

However, these special interests cannot come close to footing the bill for health reform, which has been estimated at $1 trillion over the next 10 years. This means that their offer is a calculated risk - they hope that the President remembers their support when it comes time to sign a reform bill into law.