The health care industry is sick. Perhaps fatally so. It's no wonder the government wants to fix it; however, we should know now that government rarely fixes anything. They just develop new and more expensive problems. Everyone wants a piece of the pie, and there's only so much pie. If I were the government -- and as soon as I finish my Army of Killer Robot Monkeys, I will be -- I'd make the pie larger.
Here's how I would do it:
1. Drugs will cost in the United States exactly what they cost in other countries. America has the highest drug prices in the world, even though the drugs are still the same... Read More. This is an open secret that people in Washington D.C. seem to ignore. For example, the ACTOS for my diabetes costs $400 a month for me. The EXACT same drug in Canada -- made by the same company -- is only $223 a month. It's no wonder people cross the border to buy drugs in Canada. Why is this? Because in other countries, their drug prices are monitored and controlled. And note, no drug company loses money on their drugs or are forced to sell below cost in other countries; they're just not allowed to make a 1,000 percent profit. And ACTOS is the only drug so far that is able to control my diabetes. I have no other choices.
2. Medicare, Medicaid and insurance companies will pay claims within 45 days. Currently hospitals and doctors wait up to 120 days or more for payment. The hardship that this places on medical establishments is immense.
3. The government will mandate that every insurance company will offer a minimum health plan that will offer: $1000 deductible, $2 million lifetime cap, 20% co-pay until $10,000. This plan will cost per individual $250 a month. This plan will accept everyone. This makes the plan $3,000 a year. This price is fixed. Insurance companies can offer other incentives to get you to purchase their plan: lower deductible, prescription plan, higher caps, etc., and charge for these bonuses. However, they must offer the minimum plan. (Note: I don't have any stats on what a family plan should cost. Need more info.).
4. The government will give a $3,000 tax credit to everyone who makes below $75,000 a year who purchases the plan.
6. Companies will also receive these tax credits for purchasing the plan for each employee.
7. Next, we will pay for medical school for 2,500 general practice medical students. As part of their contract, they will have to work as a GP for five years following their graduation. Per Jean's suggestion, they will have to work during that five years in places that are unable to attract GPs: rural areas, inner cities, etc.
8. We will continue to pay for med school for 2,500 GPs for five years and as necessary.
9. We will also offer scholarships for RNs, PTs, LPNs, PAs, EMTs, etc.
10. We will make excellent prenatal care available for free for low income mothers. It's a shame and disgrace that our infant mortality rate is so high among the Western nations. What is wrong with us?
I have more, but we'll let you react as I continue work on the AKRM. The uprising is coming! Join with me or be swept away!
Ahem. Have a good Thursday!
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5 comments:
Ah! You're way ahead of me. Thumbs up.
OK. You've posted here. Now send to your senators and congressperson as well as Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, Glenn Beck, and maybe your local talk radio station to get the discussion going.
I'm sure it will be ripped to shreds by some people, and there are lots of people who will complain about the deductible, but it does help for catastrophic concerns, which is important. It should be feasible for insurance companies to offer, and the tax credit should shut up the other complainants. Yes, some thing comparable needs to be worked out for families, and an appropriate tax credit devised for them, but this is a solid beginning. AND it keeps the government out of the business except for them telling private companies they have to offer this coverage. They can still offer any of their other plans. It's a basic coverage measure, and is worthy of consideration. It certainly sounds better than what we have today.
Great ideas and a good start. How do we get the government to listen? HC reform will require some segments of society to sacrifice for the good of all, but the elite 5% are rarely willing to do that. Doctors like their control and high incomes. It wasn't like that 100 years ago, when doctors took chickens and carrots for pay and made housecalls. I know there is a way, and probably some changes will need to be gradual or implemented in stages to get more people on board. Just my 2 cents worth.
Tech for President in 2012!
We have something like number 7 in place. Doctors will agree to work in rural areas or other places, if the town agrees to pay off their med school loans. And some larger towns, Norman for instance, have paid off loans for certain specialists that we didn't have at the hospital. We do need more GP's though.
Also, don't we already have #10? I know we do in Cleveland Co., anyway. Pregnant women on welfare have free prenatal care, plus a nurse will visit them for a year after they have their baby for well-baby checks, problems with nursing, vaccinations, etc., and will even help the new Mom get a GED if she needs one. The nurse will help the Mom navigate through the system so they get everything they need.
I like the plan, though. It seems much more reasonable than what's on the table now!
Crystal
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