We have a health care proposal that we would like to offer, here:
Create the two tiered system that everybody is so afraid of. The fact is, our system is far more than two tiered right now. And it is highly inefficient, and restrictive when it comes to choice.
Stop Medicaid and Medicare as they currently exist. Seek out doctors and physicians who went into medicine because of their love of the subject, not because of money or because they want to be “respected” by society. Pay them fairly. Start Medicaid and Medicare under the government run program.
Yes, “government run” is a scary phrase. But in essence, these programs are already government run, with even more abuse and waste than a straightforward, one party government provided clinic would offer than in the current two party and somewhat ridiculous government private practitioner marriage – which on the issue of health care simply does not work. Give every American the option of affordable treatment — affordable based upon their income level.
This will compete against the private sector. The idea bandied about on the far right that it will undermine the private sector — at the same time the far right’s other main argument is that government run health care will be an abomination of poor care — is ridiculously inconsistent.
Again, this leads to a two tiered system. But it gives everyone options, and coverage. It will likely cost less than we currently spend. It will likely expand choices, and very likely serve to keep overall costs, and more importantly, cost growth, in check.
Or simply reform Medicare and Medicaid, as many, via the very roundabout way of repeatedly taking shots at Obama, suggest. (See here for one example from yesterday, and a critique of it.)
But don’t force everyone to get more medical insurance, when it is medical insurance, which is part of the root of the problem.