To help save for those occasional medical bills, all citizens should be encouraged to set aside money in tax free, health saving accounts to be used for medical expenses not covered by insurance. They exist at the federal level and in 48 states. It’s time to add California to that list!

We don’t need doctors for all care. In some states, nurse practitioners can open clinics and provide medical diagnosis and treatment. By 2013, companies like MinuteClinic and RediClinic will be operating over 6,000 retail healthcare clinics inside stores like CVS and Wal-Mart. Such clinics will save you time and money.

To promote prevention, good health habits should pay! In Switzerland, a healthy lifestyle saves you money on premiums. People might care more about their health habits if it resulted in a higher quality of life and lower healthcare costs.

Medications are often the treatment of choice and help us avoid more expensive, invasive treatments. Medications should be covered under major medical plans, but we should avoid price controls. Controls destroy the incentives for creating new drugs. Instead, focus on using generic drugs and avoiding unnecessary medications.

Demand national tort reform and realistic caps to help control frivolous medical malpractice lawsuits that add costs as well as unnecessary tests and procedures to protect those providing care. Institute standardized forms and digitized medical records to cut down administrative costs and increase efficiency, and establish a shared database of health care best practices.

Don’t fall for the illusion of “free” health care where someone else will pay for your care. Demand real reform that gives you control of your own health care and keeps the quality high!