President Obama unveiled his health care proposal yesterday and I was delighted to finally be able to form an opinion. The key elements of his proposal, available on the White House website, are only 11 pages in length. Prior to this, I really couldn’t express an opinion because I didn’t have the time, inclination or fortitude to read the 1100 page version put forth by Congress. At least now, I can actually understand what he is proposing. I don’t have to rely on spin doctors to interpret for me.

To be clear is to be brave. There is nowhere to hide in brevity. Long-winded legalese is like verbal brush in which all manner of unpleasant consequences can hide. I applaud the presentation of the President’s plan—significant differences from previous, Congressional versions are called out, a table of contents runs alongside the text and the highlights are easily accessible via a prominent tab and easily printed. Unlike previous mind-numbing versions, this one is clear enough to allow me to form an opinion.

Irene Etzkorn is the executive director, simplification for the Siegel+Gale New York office.