Townhall.com, Where Your Opinion Counts
Talk Radio:   Bill Bennett   Mike Gallagher   Dennis Prager   Michael Medved   Hugh Hewitt   
BREAKING NEWS  LeftArrow - Townhall.com : Conservative, Political, Republican   RightArrow - Townhall.com : Conservative, Political, Republican  
Columns, funnies & more in your inbox!
Login | What's Hot
  • Check the boxes and send us your email address to receveive your free newsletter
  • Your daily must-read of conservative columns, cartoons and news. Coulter, Sowell, Krauthammer and more.
  • Townhall.com’s weekly inside scoop on what’s happening behind the scenes in the world of politics. When news breaks, we report.
  • Signup to receive the latest daily Townhall cartoons
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Carrie Schwab Pomerantz :: Townhall.com Columnist
Taking the Pulse on American Health Care
by Carrie Schwab Pomerantz
Forward Print Share Single Page
Vote on It:
Average Vote:
[+] Text [-]
 
 
Poll
Will the Dems' health care Christmas Present to America be an improvement or detriment to our health care system?


When it comes to rating the quality of the nation's healthcare system, the percentages are pretty alarming. The majority rates it as fair or poor. Only a small minority rates it excellent (4 percent) or very good (11 percent).

While the good news is that half of the survey respondents remain extremely or very satisfied with the quality of their own health care, even better news is our willingness to help find a cure for our ailing system. As I mentioned at the beginning of this column, I think it's pretty significant that:

-- An overwhelming majority says that providing high-quality health care (93 percent) and making health care more affordable (90 percent) are extremely or very important goals of health care reform.

-- 87 percent support tax incentives to help people purchase their own coverage.

-- Substantial majorities would support letting those without insurance buy into Medicare or buy the same insurance offered to government employees.

No matter what your personal feelings are about the current state (or future) of our health care system, there is little doubt that adequate insurance is an essential part of your overall financial health. If you don't have medical coverage through your employer or another group, consider your options right away. I suggest at least a low-cost, high-deductible policy to cover major expenses.

Don't risk the possibility that a major health issue or a medical emergency could derail your financial future. Make health insurance premiums a part of your budget. And make sure that saving for retirement and your other goals remain in that budget as well. With the right coverage, the right attitude and a little fortitude, I believe we can all manage to take care of both our physical and financial health until the goal of quality affordable health insurance for all Americans is achieved.

For more information on the Employee Benefits Research Institute and its 2008 Health Confidence Survey, go to: http://www.ebri.org/surveys/hcs/2008/.

1 2
| Full Article & Comments | < Previous
Share:
Forward Print Single Page
Vote on It:
Average Vote:
 
About The Author

Carrie Schwab Pomerantz is a Motley Fool contributor.

Be the first to read Carrie Schwab Pomerantz's column. Sign up today and receive Townhall.com delivered each morning to your inbox.

Join The Debate!

Post Your Comment
(23 comments so Far)
View in ascending order     View in descending order
Reply # 1
Date: Dec 10, 2008 - 11:19 PM EST
Abolish socialized medicine
The reason health care is so expensive is that government has interfered extensively in medicine. Medicine is half-socialized in this country. If the government would get its hand out of the medical profession, prices would go way down. This is classical economics. We have got to start explaining that to people.

A generation ago, liberals talked about the "right" to health care. Now that they have a "right" to health care, liberals talk about the "right" to health insurance. In other words, liberals don't want to be reminded that they are parasites; they want a formal government program so that they can keep up the pretense of respectability.

But we have to explain to people that while government can guarantee coverage, it cannot guarantee anyone any medical care under that coverage. Only doctors and other health professionals can provide medical care; government doesn't provide anything. People actually die on waiting lists in countries with socialized medicine. It is the government's heavy hand that has resulted in fewer doctors, longer waits, lower quality of care, and more expensive care.

The solution is not HSAs or health vouchers or any other gimmick which will only entrench the notion of socialized medicine and act as a precedent for greater socialization down the road. The solution is to start attacking all government programs and laws that interfere in the private sector.
Flag as Offensive

Reply # 2
Date: Dec 10, 2008 - 9:06 PM EST
The real issue with US health care
Health care in this country is expensive for several reasons. Greed of doctors is one. We don't need to argue about that. Most of us have to work five days a week, eight hours a day to pay our bills. How many doctors do you know who really work that many hours? I know a handful at least who work less than 30 hours a week and make way more money than my electrician husband makes working 6-10s.

Another reason is that insurance companies and entitlement programs are telling doctors what is an acceptable amount to be paid rather than their customers telling them what they're willing to be paid. Most the people I know how have insurance never ask "What is the full cost of that treatment/test/med?" They just want to know how much their copayment is, giving everybody a false sense of low prices until they have to pay something out of pocket or the insurance company denies a charge (happening more and more often as insurance companies balk at rising prices).

The biggest reason, however, is that people overuse doctors for minor illnesses. The common cold usually goes away in a week if you drink lots of fluids and get some rest. I have several coworkers who go to the doctor everytime they get the sniffles "just in case it's something worse." They drive up the cost of medical care because they cause a shortage (doctors only have so much time in their reduced schedules to give to patients) and because they charge their insurance when there is nothing wrong with them. There's also a lot of people who would never consider a lower-cost alternative to a MD and a hospital visit. PAs, direct-entry midwives, many other services can be accessed for far less cost than an MD, but we won't even consider it as long as our insurance keeps paying for the higher priced services.
Flag as Offensive
Sign Up to Post Your CommentsSign Up to Post Your Comments
If you are already registered, click here to login. Otherwise, please take a few seconds to register with Townhall.com. Once you sign up, you’ll be able to post your comments immediately, use the action center, get podcasts, and more!
Note: Fields marked with a red asterisk (*) are required.
Salutation:
First Name:
*
Last Name:
*
Email:
*
Nickname:
*
Note: Nick name will be shown when you post comments.
Address 1:
*
Address 2:
City:
 *
State:
 *
Zip:
 *
Phone:
       
Your daily must-read of conservative columns, cartoons and news. Coulter, Sowell, Krauthammer and more.
(Bi-Weekly) We highlight the best opportunities from our partners for surveys, action items and more.