The dialogue in the industry is that it is inevitable; a public health care system is coming. Many in the GOP are fighting health care reform, and it's true that it may be revised from the originally proposed—and passed—plan. But, overall, the consensus is that some level of reform is here to stay.

Changes in health care have been underway for years, regardless of formal reform. Few would argue that the current health care system is broken in many respects—from being highly expensive and inefficient to not including certain services and excluding individuals with preexisting conditions. New options are emerging to address companies' needs to reduce out-of-pocket costs, while also providing greater perceived value to employees. 

It may not have been happening fast enough for some, but elements of health care were being "reformed" even before the term officially entered the picture.