The issue focused on the value of health care to people.

"It is an American question, and that's what it was all about," said John F. Harwood, a former White House chief of staff who co-founded his own consulting firm. "We can't do this by saying we have an answer. This is an American question. It's not like you just want an answer. You want a better way to look at the problem. We need an approach to get out of the death