1. Is it Universal? Does it cover all people? This would seem to be pretty basic, insofar as all other developed countries do it.  But just being, or claiming to have, universal coverage is not enough.  It is a common error to claim universality and then let it go at that. When thinking about a so-called health care reform proposal you must also explore how the proposal deals with items 2, 3 & 4:
2. Is it Comprehensive?  Does it cover all needed conditions, prevention, treatment? What care is included under the proposal? What care is not covered? And given the way the for-profit private insurance companies actually operate in the real world, one has to ask what is REALLY covered: does the health proposal allow insurance companies to deny medical treatment, diagnosis, referrals recommended by a patient’s physician because of cost? Does it stop insurance companies from refusing to cover patients with pre-existing conditions or rescinding policies for people when they get sick?
3. How much is it going to Cost Individuals? Is it affordable year-in and year-out.  How much does it cost you and your family if you are not sick?  Can you afford to get sick.  What is the total cost of the system to you and your family including taxes, premiums, deductibles, copays, uncovered conditions/expenses, denial of care/coverage refusals/claim rejections.  What is your total out of pocket costs?  If you get sick are you going to go bankrupt?
4. How much is it going to Cost Overall? What is the cost to the system, to the country, for example as a percent of GNP?  How does it control costs. How is it paid for, and who is paying, all the pieces, direct and indirect?

Too many folks fall for the trap of hearing “reform” or even “universal” and don’t realize that it is not really Universal Coverage, IF that Coverage is really “coverage” because it leaves you with too much legitimate care not actually covered, leaves you and your family with bankruptingly high out of pocket expenses when somebody does get sick, and the total system costs keeps rising as percent of GNP. 

Any real reform has to do all 4.