Any single government health insurance company as an answer to the medical care crisis is a near-sighted mistake that will cause costs to mushroom. What we need is competition, innovation and streamlining insurance companies into using inventive and far-reaching alternatives.
In order to stimulate competition, a voucher system, similar to the proposed school voucher system whereby a parent is given $9,000 to send his or her student to the school of their choice (excluding U.S. Islamic brainwashing schools, of course). A competitive appropriate amount could be given each family to spend on the insurance provider of their choice. But, it’s the bookkeeping costs many worry about.
Innovations for patient outsourcing could lower insurance costs. For instance, some Canadian hospitals do appendices operations of 80% less than U.S. hospitals and because they specialize in that procedure, their recovery rate is 92% greater than those of most U.S. hospital. At 80% savings, and better rate of recovery, that’s a deal! Also, Indian and many other foreign hospitals deliver the same or better treatment than those found in the U.S. and at amazing savings. It’s multiple times cheaper to put a patient on a plane and outsource them for treatment. That would appeal to many a policyholder in return for a lower health insurance premium expense
For others, a $10,000 or $20,000 deductible makes more sense if they could receive a cost benefit. After all, what they want protection against is the BIG one, the expensive 6 months in the hospital one. For many, the little stuff can be handled out of pocket. Many states don’t allow high deductibles. Too often states hamstring insurance companies with restrictions and practices. The federal government needs to enforce all states to allow free competition without restriction for health insurance entities in order to broaden the mix.
How about allowing insurance companies into every state that only recruits athletes, non-smokers, non-drug users, fit folks, monogamous folks who don’t sleep around and get STD’s and such. Their actuarial cost would prove lower and result in lower premiums.
The elimination of restrictive American Medical Association’s standards is mandatory. Too often highhanded restrictions eliminate competition. Perhaps constricting entry into the marketplace makes the doctor more “god-like” because perhaps of their rarity is someone’s idea of progress. I’ve seen kids who flunked out of school become excellent type A auto mechanics and I’ve seen “A” student medical doctor give the bad advice, commit unneeded operations for the extra buck and perform the dumbest acts.
Auto models change every year. Parts change, technologies change. The human body basic model stays the same. It seems the auto mechanic often has more to consider and manipulate than medical doctors do. Perhaps mistakes are more costly for the doctor if the patient dies. Barring heart surgery and rebuilding an entire engine, most medical specialty procedures become routine.
The 80:20 rule applies with doctors as well as auto mechanics. The top tier is the best and from the school of care and that approximate ratio is found in every profession and occupation. The bottom tier also exists in every occupation and profession. Making someone go through 8-years of school does not make them a better doctor. A man or women with commitment care and hands on training does.
Or put it another way. If one reads the electrical code, completely wires a house, installs the switches and electric panels, mast and all devices in 4 or 5 houses and gets approval by the electrical inspector, what more is there to learn about wiring a home? Yet it takes a 5-year apprentice program before states allow that person to become a licensed electrician. And they’re licensed and charge more. Becoming a master carpenter is harder to learn, will take longer on the job experience to master all the ins and outs and they get less pay … and, by the way, they’re not licensed.
The AMA limits doctor competition to universities by enrolling only “A” students and requiring long years of study. High. “C” students in the U.S. who want to become medical doctors have to go to India, Grenada and other foreign countries and then return through the back door and apply their trade. If auto mechanics followed suit, it would cost a fortune to repair cars.
By increasing enrollment in medical schools and streamlining certifications, more doctors would be available. More competition would reduce doctor costs to the individuals and deliver more care. Licensing has become ridiculous to the point that you need to hire a $250 a visit podiatrist to cut someone’s toenails and Medicare will pay for it!
Consumer advocates need to tie up special interest groups in Washington and elsewhere to streamline common sense and competitive health insurance measures into the market place.
