Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness are just some of the vital inalienable rights that America’s Founding Fathers highlighted while penning the Declaration of Independence. If a happy society is a healthy one, what is the role of government in ensuring its citizens are given access to quality and affordable health care? How can Washington be a partner to advancements made by the private sector in advancing medical research? Will America continue to drive the innovation and medical breakthroughs that have been a hallmark of a system that develops new cures and treatments every day?

Bringing our "Examining Modern Medicine" series to Washington Ideas, The Atlantic will gather perspectives from policy and science to explore the state and future of health care. From policy and economics to the future of medical research and innovation, we’ll bring together the brightest minds shaping health care today.