Health Care Reform – The Madness
By: Rene Velez Aug. 31st 2009
Health care reform has to happen. Despite all the negativity over the Public Option plan most Americans realize that something has to be done. O’bama has done a poor job at selling health care reform to the American people. My perception is that he has distanced himself from the talks because anything that comes out of reform will be far from what people want. On the other hand distancing himself from health care reform issues may actually help the cause because he can not be blamed for what he has asked congress to propose, in a bipartisan effort. The question is, will he take the bull by the horns and truly reform health care? I doubt it. You must remember, he is a politician after all.
This is a complicated issue and overall I give our US government an “F” in coming forth with a comprehensive plan that people understand. Having had to shop for health care policy recently there is a lot to choose from. It is difficult to calculate what is your out of pocket costs, what is covered and if your current doctors are in any given plan. Despite all the news attention this topic is getting no one knows what we will be getting, or how it works. This has got to be the worst sales pitch for reform we have ever witnessed.
It is generally understood health insurance companies are making big profits while deciding what is best for you and often at odds with the doctor’s ability to practice. I don’t like a national health care policy. I don’t like the idea that we are substituting private enterprise’s profit motive in managing your health for the bureaucracy of government . Neither one will do us any good. Perhaps the best scenario is a private venture with government reform and regulation. Yet this is a compromise at best.
Start with the Basics
For the sake of accomplishment and to not waste any further time let’s address some basic issues that have to change. Rather than try to adopt a sweeping change to healthcare, let’s address the big pitfalls of the current system. I can just see the critics citing a piecemeal process. But that isn’t the case. We did not get into this mess overnight, so why should we expect to get out of it in one swooping move.
(1) Regulate health care companies so that premiums and operating expenses have to be approved. Just like we do with utilities. Cut out the extra pork and profits.
(2) Prohibit insurance companies from denying you coverage for existing conditions.
(3) Let’s cap medical malpractice liabilities. Let’s eliminate frivolous law suits that are expensive and do not prove negligence. Let’s come to terms with the fact that the practice of medicine is not an exact science.
(4) Let’s have an insurance portability act so you can take your insurance with you.
(5) Let’s have a government guaranteed insurance program, provided by private enterprise, specifically for high deductible policy holders that covers their out of pocket costs so that people do not suffer economic hardships. This is to be funded by minimal premiums as part of an elected payroll tax, or premiums you pay directly into the fund.
(6) Let’s provide a health care policy premium insurance so that the unemployed have continued and uninterrupted health care in times of unemployment. To be paid by a payroll tax.
(7) Let’s create regulations that allow you to buy medicines anywhere in the world to make medication affordable. Prohibit the drug companies from offering a different price for drugs outside the USA. Let’s also prohibit extravagant advertising and promotions programs that drug companies use to sell their products to doctors. This practice ads a tremendous amount of cost to medicines. There are less expensive ways to market to doctors that is informative and more cost effective.
(8) Let’s consider if Pharma and medical equipment needs closer regulation on pricing and profits. Then establish a new more equitable playing field that protects the consumer.
(9) Let’s revise bankruptcy laws to give people a clean slate when their bankruptcy is caused by extraneous health care bills.
I am not a health insurance expert and I am sure this is just a sample of the pitfalls. But we need to get back to the basics of providing affordable health care that people understand.
Taxpayers Already Pay For The Disadvantaged
In just about every urban city there is a health care hospital that can not turn you away in the event of an emergency. So the argument that people are dying because they can not get healthcare is not properly portrayed. There is some truth to this in that if they had preventive and ongoing health care they may not wind up in these hospitals but that is another matter that needs to be addressed.
These public hospitals are funded with tax dollars already, in a variety of ways. Many of these hospitals are some of the best hospitals you can go to especially for trauma. In Miami we have Jackson Memorial Hospital. Funded in part by a .5% sales tax. In addition it receives other tax awards and of course money from donations. It is known as an excellent hospital. No one gets turned away and we as taxpayer pay a large portion of the bill.
Then how can we, especially at a time of all time high deficit spending pile on an additional health care tab for the 15% of America that has no healthcare. Something is not right. We should also take note that in some cases, people choose (sometimes knowingly) not to have health care. The compassionate side of all Americans is to help those in need. America’s generosity is unequal to other countries. Yet I do not feel it is correct to impose a welfare system that benefits those who do not bother to help themselves. We must be cautious before we dole out public funds.
Health Care Bailout Syndrome
We should all be uneasy about how government proposes health care reform. Just look at how our government has bailed out big business. No strings attached, poor controls and checks and balances. Executives taking home huge compensation packages with American tax dollars. Let’s not be too quick on this matter. Let’s demand a comprehensive plan that coves what is needed rather than falling victims of the bailout hysteria.
Where Are Our Elected Leaders?
I keep asking myself the big question. With all the lawyers in Washington, DC why is it that only the opportunistic blind seem to get elected? Isn’t there anyone who can create a movement that is for the benefit of the American citizen? We do not want to destroy the health care system or keep companies from making a profit. We simply want a more even playing field. One that works for this great country and not just for the rich and powerful. Where are our elected leaders?
By: Rene Velez Aug. 31st 2009
Health care reform has to happen. Despite all the negativity over the Public Option plan most Americans realize that something has to be done. O’bama has done a poor job at selling health care reform to the American people. My perception is that he has distanced himself from the talks because anything that comes out of reform will be far from what people want. On the other hand distancing himself from health care reform issues may actually help the cause because he can not be blamed for what he has asked congress to propose, in a bipartisan effort. The question is, will he take the bull by the horns and truly reform health care? I doubt it. You must remember, he is a politician after all.
This is a complicated issue and overall I give our US government an “F” in coming forth with a comprehensive plan that people understand. Having had to shop for health care policy recently there is a lot to choose from. It is difficult to calculate what is your out of pocket costs, what is covered and if your current doctors are in any given plan. Despite all the news attention this topic is getting no one knows what we will be getting, or how it works. This has got to be the worst sales pitch for reform we have ever witnessed.
It is generally understood health insurance companies are making big profits while deciding what is best for you and often at odds with the doctor’s ability to practice. I don’t like a national health care policy. I don’t like the idea that we are substituting private enterprise’s profit motive in managing your health for the bureaucracy of government . Neither one will do us any good. Perhaps the best scenario is a private venture with government reform and regulation. Yet this is a compromise at best.
Start with the Basics
For the sake of accomplishment and to not waste any further time let’s address some basic issues that have to change. Rather than try to adopt a sweeping change to healthcare, let’s address the big pitfalls of the current system. I can just see the critics citing a piecemeal process. But that isn’t the case. We did not get into this mess overnight, so why should we expect to get out of it in one swooping move.
(1) Regulate health care companies so that premiums and operating expenses have to be approved. Just like we do with utilities. Cut out the extra pork and profits.
(2) Prohibit insurance companies from denying you coverage for existing conditions.
(3) Let’s cap medical malpractice liabilities. Let’s eliminate frivolous law suits that are expensive and do not prove negligence. Let’s come to terms with the fact that the practice of medicine is not an exact science.
(4) Let’s have an insurance portability act so you can take your insurance with you.
(5) Let’s have a government guaranteed insurance program, provided by private enterprise, specifically for high deductible policy holders that covers their out of pocket costs so that people do not suffer economic hardships. This is to be funded by minimal premiums as part of an elected payroll tax, or premiums you pay directly into the fund.
(6) Let’s provide a health care policy premium insurance so that the unemployed have continued and uninterrupted health care in times of unemployment. To be paid by a payroll tax.
(7) Let’s create regulations that allow you to buy medicines anywhere in the world to make medication affordable. Prohibit the drug companies from offering a different price for drugs outside the USA. Let’s also prohibit extravagant advertising and promotions programs that drug companies use to sell their products to doctors. This practice ads a tremendous amount of cost to medicines. There are less expensive ways to market to doctors that is informative and more cost effective.
(8) Let’s consider if Pharma and medical equipment needs closer regulation on pricing and profits. Then establish a new more equitable playing field that protects the consumer.
(9) Let’s revise bankruptcy laws to give people a clean slate when their bankruptcy is caused by extraneous health care bills.
I am not a health insurance expert and I am sure this is just a sample of the pitfalls. But we need to get back to the basics of providing affordable health care that people understand.
Taxpayers Already Pay For The Disadvantaged
In just about every urban city there is a health care hospital that can not turn you away in the event of an emergency. So the argument that people are dying because they can not get healthcare is not properly portrayed. There is some truth to this in that if they had preventive and ongoing health care they may not wind up in these hospitals but that is another matter that needs to be addressed.
These public hospitals are funded with tax dollars already, in a variety of ways. Many of these hospitals are some of the best hospitals you can go to especially for trauma. In Miami we have Jackson Memorial Hospital. Funded in part by a .5% sales tax. In addition it receives other tax awards and of course money from donations. It is known as an excellent hospital. No one gets turned away and we as taxpayer pay a large portion of the bill.
Then how can we, especially at a time of all time high deficit spending pile on an additional health care tab for the 15% of America that has no healthcare. Something is not right. We should also take note that in some cases, people choose (sometimes knowingly) not to have health care. The compassionate side of all Americans is to help those in need. America’s generosity is unequal to other countries. Yet I do not feel it is correct to impose a welfare system that benefits those who do not bother to help themselves. We must be cautious before we dole out public funds.
Health Care Bailout Syndrome
We should all be uneasy about how government proposes health care reform. Just look at how our government has bailed out big business. No strings attached, poor controls and checks and balances. Executives taking home huge compensation packages with American tax dollars. Let’s not be too quick on this matter. Let’s demand a comprehensive plan that coves what is needed rather than falling victims of the bailout hysteria.
Where Are Our Elected Leaders?
I keep asking myself the big question. With all the lawyers in Washington, DC why is it that only the opportunistic blind seem to get elected? Isn’t there anyone who can create a movement that is for the benefit of the American citizen? We do not want to destroy the health care system or keep companies from making a profit. We simply want a more even playing field. One that works for this great country and not just for the rich and powerful. Where are our elected leaders?
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Now on youtube:
"A Citizen's Response to President Barack Obama's Health Care Speech"
http://www.youtube.com/user/greenspaceguy
The government already has the funds to pay for universal health care and to reduce our carbon footprint. Stay tuned for an earth-shaking paradigm shift that could save jobs, universal health care, and the environment. The Information Age finally talks to its older brother, the Industrial Revolution. Interchangeable parts in a virtual world.
For a full transcript visit
www.whitecollargreenspace.blogspot.com
The 50 million individuals with no health insurance are not just Americans; they are our relatives, neighbors, and friends. Just as the majority of us have no idea what it is like to live with a deadly disease or injury, we also cannot imagine what our lives would be like if we had to face such suffering and pain with no health insurance. We must stop using our mouths to fight and argue over which souls will be covered; we must put our hearts and minds together and find the funds to pay for their care. That would be the American way.
Mr. President,
In a recent radio address you stated that the only way for us to dig our way out of the rut we are in is through innovation. I wish for you and Congress to consider the following policy change. Anyone that has questions or comments or thinks that this will not work, can leave me a comment at www.whitecollargreenspace.blogspot or send me an email at whitecollargreenspaceguy@hotmail.com
The Federal government leases or owns close to ½ billion square feet of office space. Most white collar workers work an eight hour shift each day even though most buildings are open for 12 hours from 6 am to 6 pm. Overall these expensive facilities sit unused 60 to 70% of the time. By keeping buildings open an additional 4 or 5 hours each day, we could schedule 2 shifts of white collar workers, thus increasing our efficiency by 100% and reducing our carbon footprint by 50%. We could cut the cost of overhead for each employee by 40 to 50%, half as much infrastructure, half as much office space, half as many computers and supplies. With the overhead for each of our 2 million Federal workers approaching $50,000 per year, the potential savings could be $25 to $50 billion per year. By extending this new paradigm to independent contractors and state offices where the Federal government pays the state a percentage of the cost, the savings could be between $50 and $100 billon per year. This could be used as the seed money to help pay the cost of covering the currently uninsured...
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