Posted by
voice_of_reason on Monday, September 03, 2007 3:59:41 PM
PHASE1 (1st five yrs)
* Medicare/Medicaid vouchers for the poor and elderly - yes, this perpetuates the status quo, but fairness dictates a short term 'amnesty'
* cease Medicare 'deduction' and employer match
* return the previously extorted Medicare funds (with interest) into the Health Savings Accounts of individuals
* continue tax deductibility of Health Savings Accounts - employers may choose to contribute into the Health Savings Accounts of their employees
* fee for service begins to eliminate the need for insurance companies EXCEPT for catastrophic coverage
* costs start to come down (supply-and-demand at work)
PHASE2 (next five yrs) * Healthcare vouchers ONLY for the poor and/or for those who are above a certain 'cut-off' age
* tax relief for everyone else
* end tax deductibility of Health Savings Accounts
PHASE3 (the future)
* no more Medicare, Medicaid etc.
* the poor are helped by voluntary, private charity
* Return to fee-for-service
* Health insurance is relegated to its rightful status - as a hedge against catastrophic illness
Opponents will charge that it is too cold & heartless. Inevitably there will be some who can't afford medical care, requiring private charity to intercede on their behalf. In reality, the lower costs would ensure that there would be a decrease in the number of people who can't afford medical care.
Actually our healthcare system is less screwed up than our education system! At least Govt does not (with some exceptions) own and operate most of the hospitals. So, the above solution is easier than my proposal for
fixing K-12 education The above solutions do not 'feel good', but they will work. However, it may be difficult to get a Presidential candidate to take this 'tough love' approach - for fear that it may not resonate in present-day Peoria where populism prevails.