Obama’s site welcomes user comments on healthcare

• ed boughton
  1. HEALTH CARE
  As soon as I became aware of politics, I realized that the greatest threat to the American people is the Democrats and the Republicans (greater than Communism and Terrorism combined). The recent Congress only reinforces this belief.
  
  Be that as it may, this is SUCH a simple problem. In the plus Column we produce almost all the Pharmaceuticals in the world. We create almost all the Medical Technology. We have some of the best doctors, nurses and technicians anywhere and easy access to them (waiting rooms a side). We have one of the best Departments of Health in the world and a large enough populous to share the burden. In addition we already have an army of penny-pinchers in the form of Insurance Companies. All we have to do is structure it to work together. On the negatives we have a large ALL OF THE ABOVE working for themselves. Oh and an unhealthy lifestyle.
  
  How can we fix it?
  
  a. The greatest economic threat to the U.S. is our runaway health care costs, creating a burden on the business sector, the government and individuals. Though health is highly underrated in most cultures, we put healthcare off till it is critical. We do this as individuals and as a country. When hospitalization occurs the burdened of debt can be more catastrophic than the illness. In some cases this leads excessive debt (damaged credit ratings and bankruptcy).
  
  b. This is a simple program. “WE” as the consumer simply mandate the lowest premiums possible at a fixed rate (pegged to Per Capita Income) for “Comprehensive” Base insurance. We would want to spend $1000.00 a year per person paid by ALL 350million people. We would contract with various Insurance Companies and THEY will work to reduce the overall operation of the medical industry. Without question salaried based, but let the insurance companied neonate it. Convert community health care and private will be soon to follow.
  
  c. The Program
  i. Create a government department (under the Health Department to replace the Medicare system (I would use the same name) to oversee that the safety and rights of the clients (arbitration and auditing of insurers and doctors).
  ii. Define a NOFUALT medical insurance policy. (I.e. unforeseen accidents and heredity, and CDC issues) this would also include vision and dental.
  1. We would cover everything you did not bring on yourself allowing the insurance industry to sell rides for (skiing, pregnancy, STDs, smoking, drinking, diet, etc)
  a. Employers would be required to buy riders that cover health issues relevant to the duties of the employee (i.e. mining), but could volunteer to cover the Basic Coverage as well. So Employers would only pay for the risks they create.
  2. This is not to say you can be denied medical treatment. You would receive the same treatment as if you had coverage, but you will pay (the lowest rate) back the United States Government (at a % of your income till it is paid in full)
  3. Give the medical professionals the last say with no caps provided it makes sense.
  4. Mandate yearly payments (preferably as part of your income taxes) and also required (as part of your coverage) to do ALL checkups required by the medical guidelines for your age, gender, and medical history. This would include labs and checkups to promote prevention.
  5. Contract existing insurance companies to operate “ OUR” policy
  6. And allow insurance companies to sell riders for everything not covered. If people have to more to insure them for easting fatty foods and to smoke, they may not do it.
  7. This Basic Coverage cannot be denied or taken away.
  8. All doctors are IN the Group, but we pay a flat regional rate.
  9. Cost
  a. Target (under $1,000 year + co-pay $10)
  
  iii. Work to reduce medical costs
  1. Offer doctors free medical education (for additional discounted fees)
  2. Create a national medical records database (the time wasted in reading, coding, storing and delivering a medical record is criminal)
  3. Create National Liability Insurance for doctors (if you reduce their cost of practice then they can give up some pay with a net 0 effect.
  4. Set a payment program for medical mistakes (this is unsettling, thought to put a price on pain, limbs and life as long as we take care of the injured for as long as warranted)
  
  iv. Infrastructure
  1. Funds should also cover ERs and a structured network of Trauma Centers, and clinics (paying flat rates to service the widest areas effectively).
  2. To nationalize (eminent domain) prescription drugs deemed necessary (i.e. AIDS Drugs, vaccines) refund pharmaceutical manufactures for their development cost (buying the rights) and to contract THEM (First right of refusal) to make it at cost +margin and if they can’t meet the need hire as many other manufactures needed to meet the need.
  That’s it!
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