"The proposed legislation misses the opportunity to help create higher-quality, more affordable health care for patients."

"The proposed legislation misses the opportunity to help create higher-quality, more affordable health care for patients. In fact, it will do the opposite." That's a quote from the Mayo Clinic, an icon of Serious Medicine. Here's the Mayo statement in full:

Although there are some positive provisions in the current House Tri-Committee bill – including insurance for all and payment reform demonstration projects – the proposed legislation misses the opportunity to help create higher-quality, more affordable health care for patients. In fact, it will do the opposite.

In general, the proposals under discussion are not patient focused or results oriented. Lawmakers have failed to use a fundamental lever – a change in Medicare payment policy – to help drive necessary improvements in American health care. Unless legislators create payment systems that pay for good patient results at reasonable costs, the promise of transformation in American health care will wither. The real losers will be the citizens of the United States.

Not only is Mayo an icon, it's also a great brand. So in the meantime, unless and until Uncle Sam puts a stop to it, Mayo continues to expand; it is entering into that citadel of commercialism, The Mall of America.