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Protecting the people
from their choices
That’s My Opinion
By Bob Robinson
The most controversial issue of the Obama Administration is the
Affordable Care Act that was recently upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court.
There are other regulations coming out of Washington that are equally
destructive, but this one has been in the limelight since ex-House
Speaker Nancy Pelosi said “I guess we’ll find out what’s in it after we
pass it.”
Now we know what’s in it.
To set the record straight, I believe as many others do: the current
health care system is broken. The two biggest concerns are probably
individuals with pre-existing conditions and health care’s
exponentially increasing cost.
I’ve read many articles from those who have had the time (and the
energy) to sift through the thousands of pages of rules, regulations,
procedures, paperwork, fees and fines that will kick in over the next
two years.
One side says “it will break us.” The other side says “it has to be
fixed and this is better than nothing.” While I agree something has to
be done, I also believe the current law will break us.
First of all, we need to get realistic. No system ever existed (or will
ever exist) in an imperfect society controlled by imperfect human
beings that will keep every last person from “falling through the
cracks.” Medicaid was supposed to do that. While as a government-run
program it has serious flaws, a bloated bureaucracy and been expanded
beyond all common-sense standards, the program is in place. It
functions. We have to live with it.
We don’t need another one with the same flaws.
I don’t pretend to be a legal, financial or medical analyst, but there
are many points that can do what “Obamacare” does without joining other
“developed countries” that have socialized health care programs leading
them to financial ruin…
First, we need to recognize that while the free market system has its
flaws, there is a reason why people in other countries come to the
United States to get more timely treatment, or in some cases treatment
they can’t get at home. Advances in technology come from the free
market, not government mandates.
Then we must recognize that these advanced technologies are part of the
reason for increased costs. Government regulations, minimal government
reimbursement for its programs, frivolous lawsuits and outlandish
punitive damages are also reasons. Tort reform and less government
intervention is essential in keeping prices at manageable levels.
Unlock the stranglehold that insurance companies have in individual
states. Allow competitive options to individuals and employers across
state lines.
Promote a full range of coverage levels, including “catastrophic
coverage.”
Expand healthcare savings accounts. There are currently too many
restrictions for them to be a viable option.
Establish a “pool” for individuals with pre-existing conditions. They
do it for “assigned risk” drivers in the auto insurance industry.
Patients with pre-existing conditions (and who don’t qualify for
Medicaid) would be pooled into that category and assigned a company by
rotation. If an insurance company is going to participate in healthcare
insurance, it has to participate in the pool.
Recognize that at some point the “pool” and other options have to be
funded. We all know – or should know – there is no free lunch. People
grumbled over the Social Security deductions from their paychecks. But
they accept it. They grumbled over the Medicare deductions. But they
accept it. They already have their participation in healthcare plans
deducted. Employee deductions and employer participation can be
included to help pay for the pool.
Finally, figure out a way to get Social Security, Medicare and medical
insurance OUT of the hands of government bureaucrats who have no clue
how to run a business and are responsible to no one. Come up with a
method to provide competitive bids in the private sector and then
provide realistic oversight of those programs.
That’s the grand view. I’ll let the experts (business sector, please)
work out the details.
A health care system is already in place that if some government
restrictions are removed and commonsense initiatives are implemented,
we can go a long way toward fixing the current health care dilemma. We
don’t have to reinvent the wheel.
Instead, our government has invented a “square” wheel. And the Supreme
Court has just given bureaucrats the “green light” to go ahead with it.
In rendering their opinion, Justice Roberts was quoted as saying it
isn’t the job of the Supreme Court to protect the people from their
political choices.
I agree. It isn’t. We made the choice. Now we have to undo it.
That’s My Opinion. What’s Yours?
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