The Alliance for Health Reform has released the first chapter in the new edition of Covering Health Issues—an online guide to the major topics in health policy. From national health reform to local health disparities, each chapter provides readers with the basic facts, background on the issue, and overview of the likely policy debates.

The first chapter, written by our colleague Joanne Kenen, tackles the issue of health reform in its entirety. Kenen lays out likely policy debates, noting that "this time around, politicians and policymakers are talking about the intertwined issues of coverage, cost and quality." She provides an overview of the ongoing debates in each, while also addressing related reform issues such as public health and health information technology.

Designed with reporters specifically in mind (although it's useful for other people working in health policy or just wanting to learn more), each chapter also features helpful tips and story ideas for covering health issues. Kenen, formerly an award-winning reporter for Reuters, offers up her own thoughts on some of the common mistakes in health reporting, such as equating more health care with better health care.

The Alliance for Health Reform will post new chapters shortly, and will also add an updated list of sources and resources —-some familiar voices, and some new ones.