<<I sure wouldn't want the government running healthcare, they suck at everything else they provide, why people here think they'd be good at that is beyond me.>>
Strictly speaking, the "government" doesn't have to run it...but they have to construct the rules for a basic minimum level of coverage, a single payor system so the docs don't have to deal with the current Balkanized mess that insurance has become, and a basic benefit package that others can construct supplements around, preferably in a non-employment based setting. And they have to enforce the rules ie, absolutely NO exceptions for exclusions to coverage in the basic plan. Some of the rules will be draconian by current medical "community standards", for example, things like exclusions for hemodialysis for people over 60. Cardiac bypass only for non-smokers. No liver transplants for alcoholic cirrhosis. Tough Love, in short.
There is no other way to change from an employer-based system, IMO...but it needs to be done. Oh yeah, and as far as the argument that "smokers and obese folks get subsidized", the solution is simple: Tax alcohol and tobacco additionally, and institute increased taxes on restaurants serving excessively high amounts of fat in their products. Tax guns, too....use the proceeds from the above to subsidize the basic coverage. That way the "overutilizers" will pay more...or change the habits decreed to be expensive to the system. And reform the god-awful class-action liability system while yer at it....we'll need those terbacky bucks for this thing to work!
Now if you'll excuse me, I've gotta go get my asbestos jump suit on for the libertarian torch fest about to come my way!<G> |
