People do what rewards them. That's relatively obvious. What is not always obvious is the reward. Hard work pays off after the work is done. Laziness pays off now. (a nod to Steven Wright).
But the principle is sound: what gets rewarded gets done. So for your personal enlightenment, write down what rewards you usually work for, and don't forget the intrinsic rewards.
Now let's apply that to today's health care reform bill. Here's the business reward plan for the insurance companies: They are rewarded for not providing service. If they provide a service (pay your bill), that is an expense, a fiscal punishment. But if they only serve those they think won't need their service or refuse, confine,shave, omit and otherwise not serve those who DO need service, they make money.
Does anyone see a problem with this structural reward system?
What is rewarded gets done. Today's mantra.