Over 50 million Americans are uninsured and health care has risen to approximately 17% of GDP. What should we make of this? Consumers are not positive on the state of health care in this country. They see issues with access to care, emergency rooms flooded by patients using them for primary care, and employers dropping coverage. However, when asked about government intervention, many Americans are wary. The reason for this is that there has not been a good option to solve these issues.
Health reform transformed from the idea of universal health care to a confusing array of mandates on providers, health plans, and life sciences companies. There are penalties and tax breaks. However, the average American still cannot comprehend what these changes mean for them. At first glance, some of the changes appear positive. Some of the issues that have plagued the health care consumer in the past have been coverage limits, lack of insurance options from employers, and the strong arm of big pharma dictating drugs and formularies. Now, small business will have incentives to provide insurance. More scrutiny will be placed on pharmaceutical companies. Limits on insurance coverage will be phased out.
The government views the health care issue as one that only they can fix. People are not happy. However, many will not be happier through government intervention. I agree that health care in America is fraught with issues. However, if I was given the option, I'd rather have my care performed in America than anywhere else on earth. I was able to see firsthand while in England what universal health care looks like. It is not better. Sure, there aren't the same concerns with reimbursements, but the level of care is not optimal. Have you ever seen the teeth of a Brit? Their care options are not complete.
I do not view health care as a right. It is a good or service, depending on what you're having done, that the government should not affect. The current state of health care is a function of America being a rich country. Greater emphasis is being placed on preventative care and health living. Do we need government intervention for this? How much of health care is actually life or death, and how much is pure consumerism?
The government is not financially prepared to truly overhaul the system. A model similar to TriCare within the Department of Defense would be great. However, it is not feasible to do this on a grand scale. I'll take our "broke" health care system over any other health care system, and day of the week. When the government tip toes around the issue, but is unable to actually fix the problem, most people lose. Actually, the hard-working American suffers.
I see the government as creating the very problem that they are now attempting to fix. Look at the big taglines in health reform. There is a lot of talk about the Medicare reimbursable rate. Rates, that I may add, will be cut. This will result in physicians seeing greater demand for their services, with less reimbursement. A new, potentially talented breed of providers may see this as a reason to enter another field. The demand for health care, with so many people lacking insurance, will naturally rise by providing options to these individuals. How will the supply issue be covered, though? Where will the providers come from?
While I do see a problem with so many uninsured Americans, you do have to look at why they are uninsured. Should the government give them handouts? I do not want to sound cruel, but either the government fixes the problem or they stay out of the issue completely. Let the consumer benefit from competition and enjoy the innovation and options that they have, even if the system is "broken".
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