Online Dialogue enables hundreds of people to participate in an electronic dialogue with others who hold very different worldviews. More than the usual online forum or chat room, on-line dialogue is a process that finds common ground and reveals new ways forward.

The Voices for Health Care Online Dialogue gives participants a valuable opportunity to connect with their fellow citizens, grapple with the choices and tradeoffs involved in health care reform - and to help improve health care for all Americans.

 Features include:

• ChoiceBook: an interactive “choicebook” that you can complete at your own pace. The Choicebook provides balanced background information, clearly defined choices you can consider and weigh in on and ways to create your own vision for health care.
• Small groups: participants who want to participate in a more intense dialogue experience will be sorted randomly into small diverse groups of about 30-50 individuals for a weeklong interactive dialogue. You will be able to see the discussion in all groups, but can post only in your own. This will allow you to see a wide range of parallel conversations, and participate in a more intimate, productive discussion.
• Structure: Specific topics and questions will be posted regularly by the dialogue moderator. You are encouraged to respond to these suggestions. You are also encouraged to create new topics in your group on issues and questions that are important to you.
• Limited time commitment: The dialogue will run for a limited time and the conversation is structured to make the best use of participants’ time. You may post as much or as little as you wish, at whatever time is most convenient.

The discussion will be visible to anyone who visits the Voices for Health Care site. However, only registered participants will be able to post messages and have their perspectives reported to decisionmakers.