Health Care Dilemnas: A Personal Story

Your premise that Americans should be responsible for themselves is laughable.

Our entire history is of Marxist immigrants - teeming masses yearning to be subjects of an all-powerful government.

They knew, these Brave New Americans, that in America they would have the unfettered opportunity to be added to government enemies lists for expressing their opinion.

They knew, these Brave New Americans, that in America their chance of success was limited not by their own wits and their willingness to work hard to succeed, but by a beneficent and caring government bureaucrat who would pigeonhole them into one or another class of "victimhood" which would justify their being supported by others through government welfare programs.

They knew, these Brave New Americans, that if they DID choose to work hard and succeed, the government would make sure they didn't get too wealthy, and would take their earnings to give it to others "more deserving."

This is what made America great, Mr. Robber-baron smarty pants.

I grew up in the 1950's and can remember doctors making house calls, perscription drugs that cost $2.00 (really expensive prescriptions cost $5.00), and similar medical costs.

As government grew, and as lawyers started making fortunes on lawsuits, so did medical costs.

The solution?

"Loser Pays" tort reform. Less government regulations. No "free medical rides" paid for by the everyone else.

It will take years to return to the type medical care that I remember; but it will be worth it.

Welcome back.

I'm of Ghost's generation, and remember the same things he does. Amazing, isn't it?

I'd add a couple more ideas: remove ALL the government-imposed obstacles to the free-market solution, including restrictions on where insurance companies can operate. They should be able to offer their product universally, without regard to state boundaries.

Streamline the FDA drug approval process.

It's interesting to note that in areas where the government is NOT involved -- cosmetic and other elective surgery, chiropractic practice, dentisty, optometry, veterinary services for animals -- there's vigorous competiton, prices are held down by market forces, and excellent service and product is delivered.

Co-INCIDENCE?

I don't think so!