Wednesday, 09 September 2009
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KISS Healthcare
Keep It Simple & Straight-forward. That's the type of solution that will untangle the complicated mess we're addressing in healthcare these days. I'm not looking forward to Mr Obama's speech tonight because I dont want a government-run solution in the first place. So, here's what I propose.
Two small changes that could have big consequences
1) allow individuals (not just employers) to expense their healthcare premiums. This levels the playing field and returns ownership of the insurance policy to the beneficiary; plus in the case of a job change, the policy stays with the worker.
2) insist that reimbursement for care be made payable to both the patient AND the provider (MD, Lab, Hospital). Assignment of benefits may have streamlined payment, but it also nullified oversight.
In short order, these two changes could help to re-establish accountablity within the doctor-patient relationship, the key ingredient. There would be fewer parties butting their noses into medical-care decision-making. And you know as well as I do that when I have to open my own pocketbook in order to pay for something that I am more careful about how those dollars are spent.
It's time to return these decisions to the parties directly involved. Clearly, the current system is crumbling. I am willing to accept responsiblity for my own health, not only with my lifestyle, but also with my money.
Here's a link to my previous post on healthcare. Here's a link to what the President of the Fulton County (GA) Medical Society was saying in 1950.
How do you propose to upright the system?
Currently
TWO DAYS That Ruined Your Health Care
By William Carter Waters
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Comments (4)
A parallel thought: I believe if taxes were paid by taxpayers, as opposed to withheld from their checks, there would be a demand for more accountability from the politicians spending the money. We are numbed and sedated by passivity.
@magistramater - Yup, Carol... I think you undertand the situation :)
@sweetbriarpatch - You are exactly right, Lynn! Allow the market to operate free of government regulations. Another good one would be to abolish legislatitvely-mandated coverage, like I'm sure my family plan includes maternity benefits, but I have no need for that... yet my premium is based on including that.