Let's Make a Deal

Abstract

Many have proposed blueprints for a new U.S. health care system, but few have focused on the process of designing a house we all can live in. Perhaps because we physicians are both providers and potential patients, we have as large a stake as anyone in the final design. Because others foot most of the bills, however, we will not get exactly what we want. In this commentary, the current struggle for reform is viewed as a negotiation, despite the lack of an obvious negotiating table and clearly identified negotiators. We draw on recent work in conflict resolution to propose . . .