As much as we might like it to be otherwise, the reform of the U.S. healthcare system is going to result in a transfer of wealth. It doesn't have to be called that, but a transfer it will be. Call it what you want, increased premiums, means testing for benefits, higher copays, reduced coverages, reductions in payments to providers, higher taxes, negotiated prescription prices or hospital fees, limitations on medical research, lower payments to doctors, even a "government option"...they are all transfers of wealth from one group of citizens to another.

If costs are to be reduced, it simply can't be any other way, "nose under the tent flap" or not. The cost of healthcare as either a percentage of GDP or on a cost per capita basis must be reduced, and reduced substantially. Call it whatever you'd like, but the result will be a transfer of wealth.