How Would Your Reform Health Care?

[Full Throttle]

Rather than complaining about proposals, what would you propose if you were in charge of health care reform? The real cost drivers are the tough issues, but I think some simple things could be done:

1. Keep the private market in tact, create a national risk pool with at least a 6 month pre-ex waiting period (non-HIPPA). It would be better done at the state level, but if the Feds need to get involved, start there. If you want to subsidize it to keep the premiums affordable, great.

2. Tort reform: I don't think this would have as much impact as hyped, but should be done.

3. Remove silly state mandates.

#1 would allow anyone to get coverage with minimal private market disruption, #2 and #3 would have a limited impact on premium levels. The real tough issues and cost drivers remain: unhealthy population, disincentives for practicioners, end of life care, ect. Those, I honestly don't know how you control them without the government trampling into people's lives. I personally think silly proposals by the Republican side to open up competition across state boarders would have a very limited impact.

Thoughts? If we keep continuing down the current path, we have a problem as well.

P.S. Sorry for the mispelling on the thread title.

 

[Winter_123]

It is a fair question but some of us have laid that out in detail several times since last summer. So, for my thoughts I would just defer to earlier discussions.

 

[HealthGuy]

Winter: Condi just keeps looking better and better. Man.

 

[Winter_123]

Winter: Condi just keeps looking better and better. Man.

As it should be.

 

[Newby]

Rather than complaining about proposals, what would you propose if you were in charge of health care reform? The real cost drivers are the tough issues, but I think some simple things could be done:

1. Keep the private market in tact, create a national risk pool with at least a 6 month pre-ex waiting period (non-HIPPA). It would be better done at the state level, but if the Feds need to get involved, start there. If you want to subsidize it to keep the premiums affordable, great.

2. Tort reform: I don't think this would have as much impact as hyped, but should be done.

3. Remove silly state mandates.

#1 would allow anyone to get coverage with minimal private market disruption, #2 and #3 would have a limited impact on premium levels. The real tough issues and cost drivers remain: unhealthy population, disincentives for practicioners, end of life care, ect. Those, I honestly don't know how you control them without the government trampling into people's lives. I personally think silly proposals by the Republican side to open up competition across state boarders would have a very limited impact.

Thoughts? If we keep continuing down the current path, we have a problem as well.

P.S. Sorry for the mispelling on the thread title.

I would end ALL Group coverage. I don't want employers involved with healthcare decisions or any other insurance decisions.

The whole country should be one big group. Everyone can select from the same plans regardless if they work for a big ivory tower or mow lawns for a living. Cobra would not be needed because you don't lose your coverage when you become sick and can't work.

The whole employer based system makes NO sense to me. Make it guaranteed issue if you buy it at age 18, 25, 35, 45, and 55. If you choose not to buy it and get sick you should lose everything financially before you get your handout. Poor people are covered by Medicare and should have affordable solutions to get off Medicare.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Medicaid not Medicare.
It's been a long week.

 

[Mark]

You get what you pay for. The problem with health care is everyone wants a free ride. Those that have health ins have to pay for those that don't.

I have a sister that don't have health insurance and gets better treatment then I do with health Ins. She can go to the er and tell them she dont have ins, and they charge her a small fee and when I tell that I have ins, I end up paying out the butt.

 

[scagnt83]

I would end ALL Group coverage. I don't want employers involved with healthcare decisions or any other insurance decisions.

The whole country should be one big group. Everyone can select from the same plans regardless if they work for a big ivory tower or mow lawns for a living. Cobra would not be needed because you don't lose your coverage when you become sick and can't work.

The whole employer based system makes NO sense to me. Make it guaranteed issue if you buy it at age 18, 25, 35, 45, and 55. If you choose not to buy it and get sick you should lose everything financially before you get your handout. Poor people are covered by Medicare and should have affordable solutions to get off Medicare.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Medicaid not Medicare.
It's been a long week.

I would have to agree except for the GI. There are LOTS of uninsurable or high risk people out there in our very unhealthy country. Let us healthy people get private coverage. Then create separate high risk health pools... perhaps an extension of medicaid or medicare.
If you choose to eat bigmacs and bonbons everyday then you shouldnt be in the same pool as me.
And I realize that some people have conditions out of their control.... but no one said life is fair..... and they are the few that I would not mind helping to support with my tax money either...