Managed competition, single payer plans and mental health coverage were topics of discussion yesterday at a health reform teach-in at the Kennedy School of Government.

A panel of six professors, lecturers and doctoral candidates spoke to an audience of about 40 about proposals for health care reform.

Doug Staiger, associate professor of public policy, said establishing a "managed competition" system--in which the government would regulate health insurance--could bring health care costs under control: "Managed competition is unique because it is a `top down' reform. The key idea is to change the incentive system so insurance companies will face price competition."

Dr. Ronald David, a lecturer in public policy, said he was disappointed by the discussion of health reform. "Health improvement of the community should not be taken for granted," David said.