“Comprehensive” may be the scariest word in the English language when it tumbles from the lips of a politician. Instead of trying to revamp every aspect of the health-care system, Congress should follow Mackey’s lead and tackle a few fixable problems with consensus and support from Americans, who, though frustrated with the status quo, aren’t quite ready to surrender self-determination.

Mackey’s ideas aren’t necessarily the only route, but they offer a path that is pro-market, pro-individual and pro-choice — all concepts that are organic to America and, like spinach, good for you.