Here's my system that was developed in several blogs I wrote last summer. I designed and administered health care plans for a living for 15 years.
Universal Health Care Plan-One Page Summary
Administration: Common payer is the state govenments which can be deligated to insurance companies. US Government has proved it cannot manage a natioal health care plan as 20% of Medicaere is now fraud; stiff penalties for violation by patients and providers.
Hospital Care: Regional management; coordinated services (specialization and no duplication); integrated operating data; pre-approval for plant expansions; surgeons all on staffs at salaries and assigned as needed. Hospitals are run for the patient, not the surgeon.
Physician Care: Large group practices (urban areas); physicians on staffs at salaries; all under one roof services; evaluations and strict enforcement of standards of practice. Poor performers encouraged to get jobs on cruise ships.
Drugs: No advertising; no physician office visits or samples; negotiated pricing; accelerated generic equivalent; formulary adherence. No viagra.
High Cost Cases and Mental Health: All have case managers; standards of care established and strictly adhered to; review committees.
Malpractice: National system of malpractice review outside legal system. Insurance handled by government. Strict schedule of awards for malpractice adhered to. No lawyers.
Data Base: National computerized medical records system for all citizens.
Wellness/Fitness: Gov. encourages through tax credits for business and private use.
Smoking: Smoking materials sold in pharmacies under a doctor’s scripts; mandatory participation in smoking cessation program or no coverage.
I believe this program is affordable and can be provided to all citizens. It will probably cost 30% less than the current system that doesn’t cover everybody. There is no compromise in quality that I can ascertain. I predict it will never happen because politicians won’t want to offend the special interest groups that have been profiting under our current broken system for years. It is a 2.2 trillion dollar industry with huge a huge lobby. If we do end up with Universal Health Care it will be costly and inefficient but politically correct.
MGDion,
What you propose is at least as good (if not better) than anything else I've seen on the subject.
Except for the no-lawyer part. Not sure I agree with that, but it should be on the table for discussion.
You've put together something that would be an excellent place to start a real national debate, even for a reactionary troglodyte like myself.
Good work, guy.
It is not just the medical plans but alternative energy. Nations around the world are ahead of the US in both these areas. This is why we need change, big time, in this country. I don't believe it would take us much time to catch and pass those who are currently ahead of us in both these areas but if we wait as little as 4 more years we may never catch up. Our reputation as the world leader in innovation needs to be restored and fast. I agree with you, there must be a way. Perhaps some financial incentives, leaders who put their money where their mouthes are. We need to take back our country from special interests so those folks we elect to represent us will do just that, represent us and not the lobbyists or special interests.
In November we have the opportunity to make history. We can turn the corner on the stagnation and falling backward we have been experiencing over the last 10 or so years and once again take our place at the head of the parade.
Yes. How can we take back the control of the debate about health care, energy, and lots of other issues?
In answer to the objection about getting the lawyers out of the system, I need only refer to the situation with worker injuries in this country. Before reform, courts were full of workers suing employers for getting hurt on the job. Of course juries were sympathatic as the big rich company could afford it. Now every state has a system of Workers Compensation where lay committees review each claim and there is a set payment schedule. Many states have initiated tort reform to limit awards. Do you know that probably as much of 50-75% of medicine is defensive, rather that a positive attempt to treat the patient? Doctor preform mucho tests to cover their asses. In many parts of the country, doctor are unable to practice because of malpractice insurance rates. Juries are always sympathetic to the parient. Get rid of the lawyers and make a quantum leap foward in reducing the cost of medicine in America.
