Health Care

Here is what I want: Affordable health care for all.

Sounds pretty simple.  If it is, then why can't we get there from here?

The answer is also simple: Politices, Power and Phinances (the three P's)

I don't want the government to get into the health care business.   However, I think some regulation is in order.  Here is what I think needs to be done:

Put realistic limits on lawsuits.  Multi-million dollar settlements because someone cut off the wrong foot are simply ridiculous.   Let's face it; if a doctor cuts off the wrong foot, someone wins the lottery and everyone else pays for it. 

Create a standardized set of tests per condition.  Someone comes in with symptom A is given the following tests in the following order.  Do this and you are exempt from law suits.  There are unusual cases but, let's face it, not every case is one for Dr. House.  If an outlier case is misdiagnosed but the doctor followed the accepted procedures, he is in the clear.

Let health plans compete across state line and enforce anti-monopolistic practices.

Everyone should get health care, and they do.  However, you must work for it.  If I go to an emergency room and I am not insured, then I must be willing to work off my debt.  Create a federal or state organization that simply has jobs for people to pay off their debts.  Have a broken arm set and you have to help re-shelve books at the local library or cut grass at a local park.

Bring healthcare into the 21st century.  Online office visits.  I should be able to Skype my doctor and tell him what is wrong with me.  I can have a home Blood Pressure machine.   I can weigh myself.  There are all sorts of things that can be done online without my going down and taking up someone's (and my own) time. 

Create better preventative systems.  Smoking, drinking, risk taking etc., are all personal choices.  If I do none of those but I get regular exercise, eat right and do yogo, I should be less of a risk and my costs should go down.  There are some companies that do this now with great success.

Don't make me insure my employees.  You (the government) have no idea what my financial situation is.

Don't make insurance companies spend a certain percentage of money on patients.  Instead, create an environment which fosters competition.  Make it easy for me to change plans.  For example, I use to be stuck with a single cell phone company just to keep my number.  A law was passed that allowed me to keep my number.  Competition went way up and prices dropped.

Jim