but, let's give it a shot. there are a few items, to it and i will attempt to be complete in my thinking and documentation.
1. this is more of a ground rule. EVERYONE, AND I MEAN EVERYONE ( CEO, MAIDS, CONGRESSMAN, SENATOR, PRESIDENT, DITCH-DIGGER, STUDENT, CHILD) USES THE SAME 'PLAN'. this is important, because it will insure that if problems occur, they will be fixed because the mover-n-shakers are using the same 'plan'. we all know that problems only get fixed/resolved when the pain level becomes to much to ignore and this starts the action/fix process.
2. we i say plan, what i am referring to is the overall system. and, i guess that is really what i am going to try and layout in this blog. the system will allow for each person to buy into a 'plan' that works best for their particular health, age, or lifestyle.
3. employer based health care is NO LONGER allowed. the funds that a company would use for health care would now be included in the employees salary. ideally, this would be the full amount that was paid on behalf of the employee. (again, this helps to insure we are all on the same place)
4a. every person is given a healthcare credit. when i say everyone, i am referring to anyone who has a social security number or is her as an legal immigrant. basically, if you are a citizen and/or pay taxes then you are entitled to this credit.
b. access to this credit is done through a debit like card. this card would be used to pay for your bills when you get your monthly premium, a prescription, an appt, or anything related to health. some other activities could include gym memberships, massages, counselors, health-store purchases. now, each year there would be deposit to your account, which would be the credit. this could take place sometime around tax season. a simple way to look at this, would be as a health savings account. in addition, as you don't use all your funds, you would continue to accumulate more in your account. also, this is a really good way to help people start saving funds, which is a huge problem that currently plagues this country.
5. now, that we have the funds that are needed. what about the plans? well, the key issue here is that people need to have choices. this is what drives a free-market economy. and, we need to have no pre-conditions. with, everyone using this same system, including the insurance ceo's and politicians i think this would be resolved relatively quickly and painless.
plans could be national or regional, and that difference would be reflected with costs but that is what should the case. if you don't travel, why get a national plan that is just not a good use of your money.
what if you don't want to get a plan? that is entirely within your right as an American. you will still have your health account that was linked to your social security number/ tax information. so, if for whatever reason, you had to get emergency service but had no plan. well, your health account would be used to pay those bills, and if you didn't have enough, then would have to be 'punished' at the time you did your taxes. if you had a rebate, then you would that $$ used to pay your remaining medical bills, if not then you go back to owing the gov't money. see, this sorta makes you want to have at least a minimal plan.
medical bills are so high because often we approach everything from a reactive position, instead of proactive. that is why it is important to allow for the health account to be used to pay for things related to staying healthy, most notably a gym membership.
5. ok, so now maybe you say what about the un-insured or more appropriately, 'those without a health account'. as i stated earlier, the only folks in that position, would be illegal immigrants. first, medical service would not be denied, and this is similar to auto insurance...we all have to pay a portion for these drivers in our auto insurance bills. and, to help with this there would be a component of you monthly premium that would deal with this.
but, as a follow-up certain items would need to be collected at the hospital, such as an address, employer, etc. this really starts to get into a whole other issue that needs to be resolved too.
6. people are feel to move around and change plans as they see fit. this is same concept as auto-insurance. so, items like customer service will be a real issue, and will force the medical insurance to get there house in order. if you are a crappy company, people leave and go to the competition. as of now, most folks are locked into what their company gets for them, and could be limited due to pre-existing conditions.
that is the basic idea of my plan. i am sure there are some areas that need to be strengthened but it seems like a good starting plan. the biggest component of this plan is how everyone has to use the same system. politicians in washington have a plan, so they are covered. they don't have to worry about their coverage or likely even think about it. with this, now they are in the muck with everyone else, so i am sure that will be all the motivation they need.
so, let me know what you think. does it seem feasible?
-thomas