Re: Serious question, for those capable.

Usually on this board we throw stones at either with the crazy idea that we'll change each others minds. Conservatives find and post stories about some crazy woman and say "see, look how dumb libs are!". Liberals on here, including myself have done pretty much the same to try to show how wrong conservatives are. It's a foolish endeavor for which I am the chief offender.

So I was thinking today, regardless of ideology, there are some pretty sharp people on hear and I'd like to here some serious thoughts on this question.

Suppose you had the power to fix American Healthcare. Whatever changes you come up with be adopted.

Let's not call each other names or try to win style points. Seriously, what are your ideas for fixing this problem.

I'll start. First and foremost I think that the Healthcare industry, including Pharmaceutical companies operate outside of the basic rules of a free market. They control the market, have little to no competition and therefore have not incentive to lower prices. First I would repeal the ban on Medicare negotiating for lower drug prices. It's illegal for them to do this...because of both parties. Further, I would remove the ban on importing cheaper drugs from Canada in an effort to bring about real price competition.

This is a serious question not the beginning of an argument. What would you do if you had the power?

Tiger1Dad

CU Guru [1907]

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Mar 4, 2019, 8:47 AM

Health care is a tricky issue to get lower costs. Many will not like what must be done to achieve it.

1- Selling across State lines. Well folks the same Companies basically insure in all States already but must comply with different State Laws. To get any benefit you must Nationally have a standard all companies can sell to for it to work. Takes away State rights for those Constitutionalists. Even Balm got that point right. You will have to have a Federal mandate on this to even have a hope of it working to lower any costs.

2- Canada does not allow advertising of drugs as 1 way to lower those costs. I would tend to agree with that idea as your doctor should tell you what you need,not an advertising guy.

3- Tort reform to limit liabilities on drugs and malpractice. One cannot justify allowing huge settlements if one wants to lower costs. Depending upon speciality and location insurance can cost upwards of $100k a year

4- Drugs in general need to allow the manufacturer unlimited rights to manufacture as R&D costs must be recouped and a profit made to fund other drugs.Government can and should be granted powers to limit gouging of end users by drug companies. Plus if you limit liabilities and eleiminate advertising they would naturally be lower.

5- Not sure how one gets around the Doctor salaries since they do tend to have really high student debt levels, up to $400k in cases. One cannot tell them they have no right to charge a certain amount when buried under that debt. My GP must bill $5k per week just to cover his costs of his practice before he makes a dime, not counting debt payments to boot.

6- Medical testing machines cost huge amounts to buy and operate. You will have to downsize the numbers and accept long wait times for scans,MRI and other tests.

People want to think there is an easy fix but they are sadly mistaken. This issue is 20% of GDP and must be done in a manner that does not disrupt the economy, quality of care and a myriad of other issues. To say Medicare for all given what it would take in taxation levels and the need to have supplemental coverage for items not covered is daunting.

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Serious question, for those capable.