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REAL HEALTH REFORM ONLY REQUIRES LEADERSHIP
Adding 47 million (the number that all seem to quote – who took that poll?) to the insurance rolls will NOT reduce overall costs. Increasing access to healthcare NEVER reduces costs. It always increases them. Simple formula, give me access, I use services, services cost money etc, etc. The so called offset from lack of use of emergency rooms and productivity etc is soft and longer term and never fully realized due to the current construct of the system. For example, presidential elections are never for the long term.
What is the flaw? Health insurance period.
How to fix it. Well, here are few thoughts.
(1) Private health insurance must be re-structured to function as a regulated utility. Their rate structure should be only that needed to operate (process payments, review claims etc) plus a set profit of 8-10%.
(2) As a regulated utility, the prices set should be wholly market based and not risk stratified for individuals or select groups
(3) By extension, adoption of item 2 means pre-coverage physicals, pre-existing condition exemptions and the like will no longer be necessary – the premium is set and if I can afford it I buy it. Companies will have to compete on efficiency of their systems and overall quality of their services.
(4) As a regulated utility the base package of services required to be offered is pre set and supplements can be offered. However, the base must be very broad to make sure the pricing factors in overall gross population risks, as opposed to sub group risks.
(5) The truly financially disadvantaged should be folded into the current Medicaid system with revisions, in that they should pay needs based premiums as with any private plan.
With this format alone, the lack of access to health insurance should essentially disappear.
This solution however does not address the concerns about rising overall health care costs (overall, not specific) nor issues related to coverage provision (ie employer based etc) However, with adoption of the above, availability will only be a factor of cost not employment.
A format of the type above, would be a great place of either of the presidential hopefuls to start.
Look at the comments by Aetna regarding mandatory insurance:
My suggestions for this approach are more specific in as much as every one must obtain coverage and be responsible for obtaining coverage
(1) Medicaid/Medicare disability, workers compensation, Government employees, Veterans, Retirement and children’s programs would not be changed
(2) All company sponsored programs would be phased out over three years (better than a tax break)
(3) Minimum wage increased by $2.00 per hour so low income workers would have no excuse
(4) Minimum basic policy defined (like auto insurance) with individual deciding on increased benefits
(5) Proof of insurance would be required to get any type of license, enroll in school, apply for job, yearly confirmation, etc
(6) Fine of $1,000 if presenting to Doctor, Hospital, etc., for service without insurance, and must pay all expenses for service
(7) Fine of $100,000 to any insurance company which denies writing the policy (basic) regardless of age, pre-conditions, etc.
(8) Policy not cancelable except by death or qualification of coverage under item (1) above
(9) Doctors, Hospitals, etc., fined $50,000 for refusing to treat.
I am writing you on behalf of The National Health Council (NHC). The mission of the NHC is to provide a united voice for people with chronic diseases and disabilities and their family caregivers. We envision a world in which all people receive health care that meets their personal needs and goals. We strive to enact meaningful health care reform legislation that will Put Patients First.
We have started a Petition for Health Care Change and set a goal of collecting 1 million signatures in 2009. With your help we can obtain our goal! In an effort to gain more exposure we are requesting that quality blogs like yours allow us to post a thread in your blog which discusses our Petition. We are aware that many spammers are out there posting malicious and other negative content which is usually removed by blog administrators. We are not looking to post any negative information but are looking for your approval so that we can get the word out about our Campaign and Petition without being removed.
We look forward to hearing back from you and appreciate your help in aiding our initiative. For more information about this initiative, please visit our website at http://www.puttingpatientsfirst.net or respond to this email.
Emily Noonan
Manager, Communications and Marketing
Emily, thanks for the kind words. You are linked to Real Health Reform and would hope that you would return the favor.
Best of luck . . . obi jo