Posted by
Roxanna M. on Wednesday, April 30, 2008 10:33:18 AM
The health care industry cannot be fixed in one fell swoop, nor should it. We need to keep what works and get rid of what doesn't. Here, in my humble opinion, are the first steps we need to take.
1. Health insurance should be for catastrophic care only. For far too long now the myth has been peddled that we can have all the health care we want for a $10 co-pay. Such stupidity has led to the high costs we're now experiencing. What's the old adage: If you want more of something, subsidize it, which is exactly what we have done. The doctor visit is $100.00 (for demonstration purposes only), but you only pay $10.00. Therefore, insurance has subsidized the other $90.00. How much would your car insurance cost if you used it every time you bought new tires or had a tune-up? Health insurance should be no different. It makes no economic sense to pay $500.00 a month for insurance just to get a $10.00 visit. Of course, the common sense economics of this is lost on politicians. Indeed, it's lost on a lot of people.
People first started abusing the system when they thought they were getting something for nothing. They got free health insurance from their employment and only had to pay $10.00 to see the doctor. Such a deal! Remember, we don't appreciate what we don't pay for. Then, after insurance kept getting more and more expensive, the thought was, "well I'm paying for it, I might as well use it." You see the vicious cycle.
This would also stop the abuse of those who run to the doctor every time their nose runs, or those who think of doctor visits as a social event.
2. Too radical for you? Then get rid of government mandates. Legislatures just keep mandating more and more coverage, which does nothing but add to the bill. If I want chiropractic coverage, then let me pay for it. Same goes for everything else. If all I want is catastrophic care, I should be allowed that choice. Unfortunately, the California Legislature - which has been in the back pocket of the insurance industry for decades - denies me that choice.
3. Separate health care from employment. This has been another factor in increased costs. Insurance companies just keep raising the premiums, taunting businesses with "what are you going to do about it." This made sense when people worked all their lives for one company. In this day and age of mobility, however, it is an antiquated concept.
4. Make health care providers pay for their own mistakes. The current system allows doctors to make you sicker and then bill your health insurance for the privilege. That needs to come to a screeching halt right now. You get an infection that could have been prevented, the health care provider has to pick up the tab. A doctor removes the wrong kidney, then he picks up your health care for that condition for the rest of your life. You get the idea. This idea has merit on two fronts: (1) insurance won't be picking up the tab; and (2) doctors just might start being more careful. I know, the argument against this will be that hospitals and doctors will have to increase their charges to cover their own negligence. Exactly how would that be different from what they're doing now?
5. Open up the market. Let insurance companies peddle their wares in all states.
6. Grasp the concept that America already has socialized medicine, it's just being run by the insurance industry. A health care provider can charge whatever he wants, it's the insurance company that decides how much to pay him. A health care provider wants to schedule a test, it's the insurance company that gives the green or red light. We have given far too much power and wealth to the insurance industry, and they should start being nicer to us, 'cause if they don't, government is going to grab everything and they'll be broke.
7. Grasp the concept that We the People have power. Get off your lazy butts and start contacting your elected officials. Make them actually do something to earn their salaries, their perks, and their exalted opinions of themselves.