Interesting article.

I especially like this suggestion:

For example, if you look at the option of having most primary care provided by registered nurses and physicians assistants, studies have found this to be a low cost comparable alternative.[4]

We MUST allow such in our system of healthcare. Let some experts with shorter degree requirements handle the basics–well-woman exams, bp checks, cholesterol checks, physicals, immunizations and so on. Bring the basics to everyone at a basic cost. As BMB says, not everything should be insured.

I’ve never understood the stats that say other countries have better healthcare. If that is true, why do so many come here for procedures? Canada has large number of patients that come here. UK not so much, but some.

The mortality rate is also interesting because NO ONE is denied care in the current system. Anyone can go to an ER and receive treatment. So it can’t simply be lack of healthcare that it at issue here. We also have many state programs for women (Pregnant or otherwise) that allows prenatal care. So I’m not certain that the numbers can be blamed on healthcare or access to it.

I’d like to see more suggestions that lower the cost of healthcare–and less worrying about insuring everyone and pushing a socialistic solution onto the entire country. If people have to take some responsibility for their own lives, it’s also possible that they will do things to improve their lot: exercise? Eat better? stop smoking?

There are expensive healthcare problems that are a good fit for “insurance.” But not the whole system.

Our Congress needs to spend more time thinking about BETTER alternatives to what other countries have tried. More time on quality–less time on rushing something through just for the right to say, “we got it through.”

@AMA Thanks for commenting! I don’t want to give the impression that I’m accusing you of engineering the problem and I do think it’s been recognized by your organization at this point. Nor do I think you don’t act with the best of intentions. However, I always think it’s dangerous to ask a group of service providers to determine how many new service providers would be optimal. The fear of a glut of doctors is going to be more likely to motivate members than the fear of a shortage.

American Medical Association

Let’s have people start paying cash for doctor visits and ordinary procedures again. That would get people to start shopping around, asking prices, and forcing doctors to start competing amongst each other on price. That would be a start to bringing some of our ‘everyday’ health care costs down.