John Rother is the president and CEO of the National Coalition on Health Care, a group of organizations aimed at reforming America’s health care system. Before joining a Zócalo panel discussion about the future of health care—“Will the Aging of America Bankrupt the Health Care System?”—he talked in the Zócalo green room about pharmaceuticals, America’s view of the elderly, and riding his bike everywhere as a kid.
Where’s the first place you take people when they visit you in Washington, D.C.?
To the Capitol. And then to the Lincoln Memorial at night.
What’s your favorite thing to do in Oberlin, Ohio, where you went to college?
Now I enjoy going back to see all the places I lived, and hopefully to see some of the people I knew.
What’s the strangest class you took at Oberlin?
For me, it was strange that I wanted to be a singer. Oberlin has a very good conservatory. I tried, but I wasn’t up to that standard.
What’s one common misperception Americans have about the elderly?
People view the elderly in two ways. One is as their own relatives, so there’s a warm feeling. But the other way is, “Oh my god, there are all these people who are going to be so expensive [to care for].” It’s a funny bipolar reaction. And most of us are in denial of our own future.
How does it feel to be “one of the most powerful people in health care” (as you’re frequently named)?
It’s never boring. But boy can it be frustrating. The status quo is really well defended by well-organized, well-financed people. It’s tough to try to change the system.
What’s one of your weaknesses?
I want to believe the best about people. Sometimes that leads me to give people too much leeway. Sometimes you have to be tough to get change going.
What’s your healthiest habit?
I try to walk as much as possible. Of course, that depends on the weather.
What do you think of video games?
I’m not into video games. My grandson has tried to get me going, but there’s something in me that just feels like that’s a waste of time. I’m basically a workaholic, so maybe I should be excused?
What’s your earliest childhood memory that comes to mind right now?
Riding my bike everywhere.
What’s an important recent technological development that’s changing health care for the elderly?
Technology has as big role to play in health care. The technology that I focus on a lot is pharmaceuticals. There’s real promise there, but there’s also a deep concern about the cost. The best pharmaceuticals are the ones that can keep you from getting sick in the first place, but we still haven’t done much with those yet.