This session is about a different kind of health care reform that is underway, one that is led by people rather than government. In a word, the internet is fostering a big power shift at the consumer level. More and more, power is shifting to health consumers, or so-called "e-patients"--they are networking with each other and thus nibbling away at the power of doctors, hospitals, pharmaceuticals, insurers, etc.

It may not be universal health care, of course, but it's a really interesting shift in the dynamics of how the system works. And it may have real political ramifications, as the trend accelerates.

For some interesting background reading, check out:
-"The Social Life of Health Information," a June 2009 report by Susannah Fox (one of this session's panelists) and Sydney Jones of the Pew Internet & American Life Project.
-The E-Patients group blog.
-The declaration of Health Data Rights.