2. Regardless of what politicians say there will be rationing of services with “universal healthcare”. In order to provide insurance to all there will be cuts in other programs. The elderly and frail will be hardest hit with major cuts in MediCare. Want more proof? Check out the V.A. or just look at how the H1N1 flu vaccine has been handled (long lines, shortage of supply and no end to the demand). Whenever a beauracracy is formed to regulate services their will be less convenience and choice available to the consumer.

3. If we want true healthcare reform we must look at where the failures in our current system are and deal with them on an individual basis. As my grandmothe said don’t throw the baby out with the bath water. There are many many great aspects of our current system. At this point we are trying to swallow a side of beef in one bite. If we could take the emotion out and deal with each area logically and rationally then perhaps we could make some real reforms that EVERYONE could live with.

5 steps to meaningful healthcare reform:

Step 1: Eliminate the interstate ban on the sale of health insurance. Let the free market create competition and allow Americans to find the plan that best fits their needs. If the government allowed individuals to create their own pool with other individuals the result would be truly portable health coverage not dependent on their employer. The pools should be eligible for the same tax breaks that businesses do for providing health insurance.

Step 2: Prohibit insurance from paying greater than 80% of actual cost: patients need to have some skin in the game and will dramatically control costs when they are so motivated (actual experience). If the doctor discounts for the patient, the insurance company participates in the discount. Enforce with insurance fraud statutes.

Step 3: Revive charity hospitals: this will give doctors a place to donate care, students to train, and provide for the needy without huge tax based entitlement programs.

Step 4: Tort reform: prohibit any patient who has recieved discounted or free care from suing, and implement a loser pays system.

Step 5: Remove the barriers to increased use of mid level providers such as Physician Assistants; they provide 80% of the care, at the same quality, and for far less money than doctors.

Results: Health care costs drop like a rock; insurance premiums (including malpractice) become affordable, and access to care increases. Additionally, Medicare/Medicaid fade away, taxes go down, government budgets become reasonable.