The 2000-plus-page ObamaCare legislation would of course obliterate any remnants of free-market medicine that still exists in this country, and in so doing it would not lower the cost of medicine, nor would it improve medical quality, nor would it ultimately insure more people, as the democrats themselves admit. The reason American medicine is so expensive in the first place is because of the massive bureaucratic apparatus that has gripped the American medical industry — an apparatus that was initially put in place in the mid-1930’s, under FDR and his horrific tax discrimination laws (which created employer-sponsored healthcare), and then expanded drastically in the 1960’s under LBJ.
The obvious question, then, is this: if government intervention created the problem, how is more government intervention going to help?
Answer: it’s not.
In fact, it’s going to compound the problem astronomically.
The following, however, which comes to us via Richard E. Ralston, Executive Director of Americans for Free Choice in Medicine, would help solve the problem, and it would do so without the unconstitutional coercive measures ObamaCare explicitly endorses.
Seven Simple Rules for Health Care Reform
The first simple rule: Make all medical services, insurance and personal savings for such expenses exempt from all federal, state and local income and payroll taxes. Those who complain about the cost of medical care and insurance must be confronted with the fact that if we cannot afford medical care, we surely cannot afford to pay taxes on the money we set aside for it.
The second simple rule: Allow an individual or corporate tax deduction equal to double the value of the service for all charity care by medical care providers. At one time America had a vigorous network of private charity care, which was largely destroyed by the government barging in. We need to restore that environment of private charity, which was more efficient, effective and compassionate.
The third simple rule: Pass legislation now proposed in the U.S. Congress that would give every individual or business the ability to purchase insurance in a national market, from insurance companies in any state. That would allow for ownership of health insurance that is more affordable and can follow individuals from job to job and state to state. The increased competition between insurance companies would restrain the cost of insurance.
The fourth simple rule: Allow the purchase of basic health insurance with high deductibles and low premiums that covers major illness or injury and annual exams, in conjunction with tax-free accounts for out-of-pocket expenses, such as deductibles. That, more than anything, would make insurance premiums more affordable for Americans who fear the financial consequences of health misfortune.
The fifth simple rule: Broaden the availability of optional coverage provided by Medicare Advantage, but allow for additional tax-deductible premiums to be paid by those seniors who elect such options. More choices from more options should be available to retirees—but not paid for by taxpayers. This would allow for expanded and more efficient coverage, and reintroduce an element of competition to those who seek to provide health care to seniors.
The sixth simple rule: Allow Medicare patients to utilize their Health Savings Accounts to pay for services from their Medicare physicians. This could bring thousands of doctors back into the Medicare program overnight and eliminate the ridiculous and unjust prohibition on those who want to spend their own money on their medical care.
The seventh simple rule: Limit non-economic or punitive damages in all malpractice or other litigation against medical providers or drug and medical equipment firms to a maximum of $250,000 (indexed for inflation). This would wring the bonanza for a few law firms out of the current ocean of litigation—and the high cost of “defensive medicine” now practiced by providers as protection against such legal extortion. The effect would be a reduction in the cost of medical care and insurance for everyone.
(Link)
For more on the atrocity exhibition of cradle-to-grave healthcare, please read Dr. Yuri N. Maltsev’s account of socialized medicine in Russia. Dr. Maltsev was for many years an economist for Mikhail Gorbachev’s economic reform team. He now teaches economics at Carthage College, in Kenosha, Wisconsin.
Read also medical doctor Paul Hsieh’s limpid explanation of how ObamaCare will prevent good doctors like him from upholding their Hippocratic Oath.
Hey, Ray, did Walter Williams write that shit for you?
There was a great television report a few days ago addressing socialized health care. Many of these same points were made, but they also highlighted the fact that wealthy people travel here for treatment, private practices are springing up to fill in gaps in Canadian health care, Canadians traveling across the boarder to receive treatment, etc.
My first time here. Great website!
P.S. I found you through your book More and More unto the Perfect Day. I’m not sure I totally understood it, but I can’t stop thinking about it.
even though moving toward a socialist type of health care system is not the answer, American health care is far from perfect. Why is it that in a town of 250,000 people I have to wait close to two months to see a doctor, when in other countries, some developing like the Dominican Republic, have doctors who can see you within the week in a city of 4 million? Why do I have to pay $65 for a three month supply of birth control (my insurance covering a big part of it)? Yes doctors are the best, but half the time it is the nurses doing all the work. Heck, I’m lucky if I get 5 minutes of my doctor’s time! Affordability, accessibility and availability must improve, now!
i understand that your readers will hate me because i’m “just a fag”, but you damn well know that the best system of government is a blend of public and private systems, like the health department which insists you wear a hair-net when you work in the food and beverage industry which i’m given to understand you do, i dont want your stringy hair in my food and i’m glad for the government intervention, your freedoms be-damned!!!
by the way i meant to ask you about how you explain colossal failures when capitalism is left unchecked, take the large example of the great depression, was that the socialists at it again???
Letter to Betsy Markey:
I oppose the government takeover our our health care system. Shame on you for choosing to support this monstrosity.
I did hear some good news today. Virginia’s AG explained that the state passed a bill about a week ago that specifically bans the unconstitutional requirement of your democrat bill to mandate we buy insurance, and it bans any fines for not buying insurance. This is but one small part of your scheme that violates my Constitutional rights.
In addition, this AG, along with the AG of 35 other states, sent Nazi Pelosi a letter informing her that the Slaughter solution is a direct violation of Section 1 Article 7 of the Constitution, which will be added to their legal challenge if this heinous legislation is signed into law. I have hope that the American people will get their day in court to put this beast down.
More and more doctors are coming forward and confirming the study in the New England Journal of Medicine that indicates primary care physicians will immediately quit or retire early. This will create a real crisis due to a shortage of doctors and lead to government-induced rationing, also known as death panels.
To the credit of your national socialist scheme, the IRS will need to hire over ten thousand people to enforce your dictates and fine us for failing to live up to the unconstitutional mandates to patronize the insurance companies you Nazis so despise. I guess that’s good for the economy, although I fail to understand how the “horse” of the American economy can win the race when the “rider” is so massive that it breaks our backs. Not that you would care.
I wrote the other day I thought you had a conscience. I guess I was wrong. You disgust me, and I hope you and the rest of your stinking party pay heavily not only this year, but for decades to come. I, for one, will vote against your ilk for as long as I live.
So, do what you do best: tax, spend, increase the government, bankrupt the country, wipe your ass with our Constitution, and tell yourself how you’re not really a narcissist, you’re just better and smarter than us stupid taxpayers.
p.s. I also heard Nazi Pelosi’s approval rating is now lower than the Unabomber. You have poor taste in friends and leaders.
At last, the voice of reason. Thanks, Constituent!
LOL!! Getting nervous, are you, Ray?
Very.
It’s a fait accompli. Corruption and authoritarian decree now rule us all in this country.