One can only wonder what nuance of the plan will be criticized next week. Although the administration has attempted to cast these concerns as part of a partisan anti-Obama campaign, I think the healthcare problems are part of a big systemic problem that occurs when one party controls most of the votes in Congress.
Ideologically based solutions that are not properly vetted out sometimes are pushed forward because of legislators’ party allegiance instead of rigorous bi-partisan analysis. When this happens, half-baked ideas are passed off as solutions. Opponents are demonized, and the people are short changed.
Several recent polls, however, indicate that many Americans are not comfortable with the healthcare plan as it stands. The most vigorous debate is whether one of the options would be a government-run insurance company. At this time, a government-run insurance option will not pass in Congress.
From where I sit several things are obvious - our healthcare system is expensive and inefficient. Because of the inherent inefficiencies that a government-run system will incur, the administration’s plan will ultimate increase costs, producing staggering deficits, give less healthcare options, and thus lower the quality of our care. As a grassroots leader who has started many new programs, innovation works best when it is built with proven building blocks. In other words, we should test, explore, examine and then implement best practices. The rate and the pace of these changes reflect the problems of having a genius-prone president who lacks proven field generals to implement his plans. Proven plans with a twist would be better than reinventing the wheel.
We as citizens must demand that Congress take things step by step. Let’s first strip away the inefficiencies in our current system before attempting to dramatically “improve” what we have. Next, let’s encourage the best doctors in the world to remain the best. For example, the threat of malpractice alone pressures doctors into ordering unnecessary procedures. One doctor friend of mine stated, “Even the families of 80 year old patients may sue you because of unrealistic expectations. When things go bad, they always think you could have done more.” Because of this “cover yourself” dynamic, some estimate that 25% of the total prescribed procedures may be unnecessary.
Finally, patient choice must be preserved. The system has to be adjusted so that a person receives compensation in order to choose their own healthcare provider. In my case, had I chosen the wrong hospital, I would be singing in the “heavenly choir.” For many people, the healthcare choice may insure life, while healthcare denial or delay may spell death.
Let’s let our representatives know! Call or write your congressman and senator today!