As major providers and consumers of health care, higher-education institutions have an important role to play in improving health and the nation's health-care system. Health care is a complex issue for colleges and universities. Not only do institutions of higher education provide health insurance to faculty members, staff members, and students, they face the distinct challenge of educating the next generation of health professionals. In addition, those institutions actually involved in delivering health care must demonstrate leadership in redesigning care and payment models. Following the passage of health-care-reform law in 2010, how can boards guide their institutions in improving health care for employees and students, while educating the next generation of health professionals? How can they avoid the risks associated with health-care spending? In this article, the author examines how the recent passage of health-care reform can change the ways institutions provide health care to students and employees as well as the training of future health professionals.