Notes from JPM: Daschle Disses DTC

Tom Daschle's keynote address on health care reform began with an overview of the system (or lack thereof) and its limitations. We admit our attention wandered a bit when he got into a list of areas where there is a "broad consensus" about the problem. You know, lack of transparency for consumers, too little coordination of care, the menace of DTC advertising.

Wait, what was that last one?

One of the problems with the health care system, in Daschle's telling, is that "people see things on TV they like and demand their doctor give it to them. Especially drugs."

We're not sure how broad the consensus is on that point. At least in the Grand Ballroom of the Westin St. Francis....