President Bill Clinton launched his push for a comprehensive healthcare overhaul in 1993. Candidate Clinton had campaigned heavily on healthcare reform in the 1992 presidential campaign.The “managed competition” plan was designed to have private insurers compete in a regulated market, and the reform push would be spearheaded by a task force led by first lady Hillary Rodham Clinton. Her oversight would lead to the legislation being dubbed Hillarycare. Some of the first salvos in the battle for reform came in a major healthcare speech to Congress President Clinton delivered early in his first term in September 1993. But opposition to the plan was fierce, especially from conservatives, libertarians and the health insurance industry. That industry sponsored a highly effective series of TV ads featuring the couple “Harry and Louise,” denigrating the plans provisions. In the end, the reform plan died in Congress in 1994. In addition to partisan politics and intense industry lobbying, the administration's handling of the legislation and the task force's proceedings also were cited for the proposal's demise.

Tournament Results:

• Round 1: Lost To Creation of Medicare Prospective Pricing System for hospital care