Sharing findings from their latest book, Critical Condition, veteran reporters James Steele and Donald Barlett deliver a withering critique of this country's health care system. The duo depict a "procedure driven" system that hemorrhages money - the United States devotes more of its GDP to health care than any other nation, yet leaves 45 million people without health insurance. To address the system's failings, Steele and Barlett suggest creating the U.S. Council on Health Care, an independent federal board that would set health care policy and administer a single-payer, universal coverage system.

Summary by Commonwealth Club staff.

Scott Shafer, Radio host of "The California Report" on KQED, moderates.