Posted by
T N McCoy on Tuesday, July 01, 2008 12:26:07 PM
This isn't complete. Just some thoughts about Health Care in the USA. And if you want details, talk to a lawyer, especially one in a political campaign. And this is based on the estimate of $12,106 now spent on average by each family for medical care [Kaiser Family Foundation.]
Let's expand on John McCain's ideas.
Everyone [usually the breadwinner] should get private insurance for health and dental care for his or her family---to cover children until they reach age 25, if they are still living at home. Employer's will no longer have to have health insurance for their employess. But when an employee succeeds in getting the health care insurance privately, the company should provide a subsidy of $1,500 to $3,500 each, depending on many factors between the employer and employee.
The Federal and State governments will provide annual tax credits [combined] of $3,500 [$2,750 federal; $750 state] for individuals and $7,000 [$5,500 federal; $1,500 state] for families.
Policy deductibles are not required, but can be chosen to reduce costs.
A standardized policy for health and dental should be set as a generous minimum. Additional sections can be added as the consumer wishes to pay for---rather like buying a basic car and adding options.
Uninsured costs will remain an itemized deduction, but with a higher percentage set-off.
Hospitals would continue to offer 'comprehensive emergency services' no matter how the individual is covered.
Hospitals would separate patients with medical needs better served by 'urgent care' with the same proviso.
A federal contract should be sent out to bid for a string of clinics to handle preventive care [Doctors would also have their own practices], and the medical care would be covered by insurance. The federal government would provide a specific subsidy for these clinics, not to exceed the actual costs.
Some illnesses would continue to be aided by specific charities and foundations. Other charities would help with major medical problems not covered by insurance.
Keep the VA system intact, with minor modifications as the above will necessitate.
Federal and State Medicare and Medicaid would be adjusted in light of the above.
Certainly, these are rough ideas. But rough ideas are always the prelude to specific ideas and then specific solutions enacted with care.
Just the thoughts of a strapped---but thinking---tax payer, but I like them better than plans of either candidate as is. It's vital to stay away from socialism. And there is plenty of opportunity for an individual or family to shuck some or every little thing in favor of self-pay. But when a 'no insurance' situation is chosen by anyone, the availability of public assistance is limited to those sections above for the hospitals. All amounts to be adjusted for inflation/deflation [Ha!] on a biennial basis.d Please feel free to comment and help me pull everything together so I can send the proposal to Congress.
Another in a series of articles of 'Better Living' for the trod-upon American taxpayer.