Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Here's the solution to healthcare.

I've given it some thought.
We need to get rid of health insurance alltogether.

Now bear with me, I've not lost my mind.
But, suppose we have no health insurance. Doctors will have to charge rates that people can afford. Naturally, competition would kick in so that the prices would be comparable with the market and what people could afford. There wouldn't be all that overhead to pay for lobbyists, CEO salaries and benefits, or advertising.

I mean, it is the way that things used to be done.

2 comments:

mommapolitico said...

Maybe I could even barter a few hours of tutoring for flu shots!:) Sounds like a plan, Girlfriend...one of the things I love about you, Jen, is how you can simplify a huge issue down to the seminal core. you may have really hit on something here. The rich would probably still get amazing care, but maybe the rest of us could finally afford coverage! Good thinking, Jen. Nice post!

Cancer Mommy said...

I know where you're going with this. The only problem is that we'd never be able to afford the treatments so many people need, even if they were only charging what "people could afford". The cost of equipment alone would be so much that we'd never get the prices down.

While I applaud your simplicity on this, I don't think it's our answer. It seems to me the only way to keep costs down, as shown by so many countries, is to regulate the prices of things-- ie: government negotiations and only one "insurance company".

One of the many things I don't understand about opposition to health care reform is the idea that private insurers would be put out of business. I mean, these are the same people touting free market, for God's sake! Which do you want more, free market to work or keeping big business in charge of our country? It seems obvious to me.

Miss seeing your posts, Jen. Hope things are well for you.