Lately, the country has been embroiled in a fierce, long, emotional debate about health care reform. But earlier, in the mid-90s — shortly after then-first lady Hillary Clinton failed to get her own health care reform package passed — playwright Lisa Loomer posed pointed questions about the issue by way of “The Waiting Room,” a dark comedy being staged by P.T.D. Productions.

In fact, “Room” focuses specifically on women’s health concerns and issues, gathering three very different women — from 18th century China, Victorian England, and modern-day New Jersey — into one contemporary doctor’s office.

Loomer reportedly drew on historical accounts from feminist literature and wrote “Room” after witnessing the care and treatments her mother received while fighting cancer. But director Joe York is quick to note that the play critiques by way of comedy, and doesn’t oversimplify the issues.

“The characters could just sit around blaming the social system, or the health care system, or the male-dominated society, but they don’t do that,” said York. “The characters are presented as they are, in their respective societies, and they just deal with things as they can. So they’re complicit, too. Wanda (the modern-day woman) has had reconstructive surgery on almost everything on her body … so she’s complicit in this whole system, yet she discovers, through the play, to question what society tells her to do with her body, and what she really wants.”

The Chinese woman, meanwhile, struggles with the consequences of foot binding, and the Victorian woman suffers by way of her corset. But “Room” also questions the cozy relationship between the medical and pharmaceutical industries, and how the medical profession might be different if even more women became doctors.

“I’ve read different reviews of this play, and they seem to say that Lisa Loomer has tried to do too much with it,” said York. “She does do a lot. But I think what she’s attempting to do, and what we’re attempting to do, is to show real characters and not simplify the complexities of the social system that has them entrapped in it.”

Obviously, “Room” is unconventional and fantastical by way of its collapsing of time and space. Yet on a more physical level, the play presents challenges by way of its technical demands.

“There are nine scenes in first act, 11 in the second, and they’re all in different places,” said York. “And it’s not like we’re just going from a living room to an office. This goes from a waiting room, to an exam room, to a doctor’s office, to a golf course, to a steam room, to Victoria’s (the English woman) room, to Forgiveness’ (the Chinese woman) room. … So there’s a lot happening.”

By necessity, subtle indicators will establish the different settings. But the main focus remains on these three women and the witty observations they have to share.

“Most of the comedy is the kind where it would be funny if it didn’t hurt so much,” said York. “But it is funny, … and it’s amazing how alive the characters are, though we don’t get to spend much time with them.”

Jenn McKee is the entertainment digital journalist for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at jennmckee@annarbor.com or 734-623-2546, and follow her on Twitter @jennmckee.