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Wednesday marks Barack Obama’s first 100 days in office – and while you might want to send the White House a congratulations card, send our healthcare system one that says get well soon.
That’s because our nation’s $2.5 trillion dollar healthcare system is struggling with costs that are spiraling out of control – making even a regular check-up unaffordable for some 50 million uninsured Americans.
But make no mistake, President Obama is committed to overhauling the entire system. “The cost of our health care has weighed down our economy and the conscience of our nation long enough,” he says. “So let there be no doubt: health care reform cannot wait, it must not wait, and it will not wait another year.”
Although details remain sketchy the President is expected to introduce sweeping reforms to contain costs and provide health insurance to every man, woman and child. And there's more. Another part of his plan involves digitizing medical records. President Obama has said he would like all hospital records to be transferred to digital format within five years.
Of course, the bill for this medical makeover could give taxpayers a heart attack. It’s more than $600 billion.
With our new President intent on treating our ailing healthcare system, what’s the right prescription for your portfolio?
The traders sought insights from former DNC chair Howard Dean who explained that the Obama plan won’t eliminate private insurance, but instead allow people to opt into something like Medicare should they so choose.
And that could generate a trade -- from the short side. Yes, the short side.
Dean was completely candid about what the plan could mean for the future of some healthcare firms. “Smaller inefficient healthcare companies will be put out of business,” he said.
None of the traders were willing to speculate which ones.
Meanwhile, if you’re looking for a trade from the longside, Pete Najarian suggests gaming the plan to digitize medical records I’d look at Allscripts-Misys Healthcare Solutions [MDRX
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], he says. Or take a look at Athenahealth [ATHN
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]. Both firms should benefit.
To see our entire interview with Howard Dean please watch the video above.
Read More:
>First 100 Days: Wall Street
>First 100 Days: Energy
- Your First Move For Tuesday November 9th
- Web Extra: The Dow's Only Loser
- Pops & Drops: Altria, Potash...
- Tech: The Trade of the Year?
- A Revitalized Credit Card Industry?
- Pure Plays For a Weak US Dollar
- Halftime Report: Retail - The Next Sector to Pop
- BEHIND THE MONEY: 'The Onion' as Trading Indicator
- Web Extra: The Final Trade
- Buying Fear: How to Own Volatility
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Trader disclosure: On Apr. 29th, 2009, the following stocks and commodities mentioned or intended to be mentioned on CNBC’s Fast Money were owned by the Fast Money traders; Adami Owns (AGU), (BTU), (C), (GS), (INTC), (MSFT), (NUE); Seymour Owns (AAPL), (BAC), (EEM), (FXI), (PBR), (F); Seymour Is Short (X); Macke Owns (LVS), (WYNN), (GE), (SDS), (AAPL), (WMT); Najarian Owns (BX) Call Spread; Najarian Owns (INTC) Call Spread; Najarian Owns (MS) & (MS) Calls; Najarian Owns (PALM) & (PALM) Calls; Najarian Owns (RHT) Calls; Najarian Owns (VAR) Call Spread; Najarian Owns (XHB) Cal Spread; Najarian Owns (XLB) Call Spread; Najarian Owns (BYD) Calls
CNBC.com with wires
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