We have a health care crisis in this country, or so I'm told. It seems that a lot of people in this country don't have health insurance. Uhhhh....anyone been to an emergency room lately? They have CARE at no expense; just no insurance!
What's causing the problem? Is it a lack of government intervention? I think it's just the opposite! The government chose to get into the health care business when first Medicare, and then Medicaid went into law and now it's the government who controls the supply AND the demand! The government will only pay a certain amount for a given procedure, forcing the provider to recoup losses from the rest of us! The solution is not MORE government interference with this formerly noble free-market enterprise. The solution is for government to GET OUT of the health care business altogether! Oh, we've got too many seniors who depend on their Medicare to leave the equation altogether. We should send them a voucher for their care and let them shop for services. What about Medicaid recipients? Same deal. Send them a voucher and let them search the free market for the best care at the best price for a limited time only! The problem with health care is that it is NOT doctors or hospitals who are setting the prices for their services! It's the government!
Sadly, the health care dilemma is the new "Social Security" hot potato. Every candidate has a government-based solution. Has anyone ever heard of Canada? Do we want their health care system here? That's what we'll get if we get MORE government into the act! If you're planning a heart attack, you'd better get in line now! People are waiting for a year and a half for bypass surgery in Canada!
I know that everyone wants "theirs," but where does it end? "You can mess with the other guy, but don't touch my Social Security" is being spread to every corner of society! Kruschev was right - he didn't need to lift a finger to create a socialist state here; we're doing very well all by ourselves! Thanks, Hillary!
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2 comments:
Dan, giving a voucher and let 'em shop sounds reminiscent of a gal named Marie Antoinette.
I believe there will have to be an age cut-off for any changes in either SS, Medicare or Medicaid. At least Medicaid is a state-based program with some federal funds available, which is not the case of Medicare.
Remember, Dan - there are those of us of such an age and disability, which makes us out of extra income possibilities, that to tell us to "eat cake" would be excessively tough. No matter the solution, someone is going to feel that for their situation it is not a fair solution. But I really feel if you are still within the work force age and ability, that yes, some changes can and must be made in these entitlements. It will take several years to correct the financial mistakes made through these programs, but with creativity and truly working out a program together, it can be done. But I definitely think just closing down the programs, give out a voucher [whatever you think that will cover] will settle the problem, I truly think you're mistaken.
In case you haven't had any experience with Medicare, more and more medical providers are capping their practices, not taking anymore Medicare patients, only those who either pay for their services out of pocket or have private insurance to that does so. The medical profession is taking its self out of the Medicare business all by themselves in may cases.
Yes, I know that this is something that couldn't be done overnight. My own dear mother depends upon her medicare, especially for the prescription medicine benefit. People who are already in the system would have to be "grandfathered," so to speak. However, people coming in could be given the voucher and told that traditional medicare is not available to them. In short, Medicare as we know it would be phased out over time and eventually, it would disappear altogether. If you want to fix health care, the government MUST remove itself from the equation.
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