A glossary of health reform words, phrases, and slogans.

Trigger. In the health-reform debate, a proposal by Sen. Olympia Snowe, R.-Me., to create a "public option" government-insurance program in the event that private insurers failed to extend coverage and lower costs in the new exchanges. The proposal never won over opponents of a public option.

U

Universal health care. Health insurance for everybody. Health reform won't achieve that, but the Obama plan would extend coverage to 31 million of the 45 million uninsured.

V

Verification. To purchase private health insurance on the exchanges, even unsubsidized private health insurance, you have to verify that you aren't an illegal immigrant. Denying private health insurance to illegal immigrants will drive up the cost of health care, or taxes, or both.

W

Wyden, Ron. Democratic senator from Oregon, he's the darling of Washington policy wonks because of his proposal to eliminate the current tax exclusion for health insurance and replace it with vouchers. The plan was less than ideal. But Wyden subsequently became an evangelist for opening up the exchanges to as many people as possible, which was a very good thing to do. He wasn't invited initially to the Blair House meeting, but later was added to the list.

X

(There is no health reform jargon that begins with "X.")

Y

Young invincible. Young people who don't purchase health insurance because they're in rude good health. The Senate plan and the Obama plan create a special category of health insurance just for them to be sold within the exchange. This kind of undermines the principle that the pool should be as large and diverse as possible.