Responsibility Blog

Ms. Kamal:

Yes, we need reform but let’s start with root causes to the problem. Instead of throwing money at a broken system (a habit politicos seem to stay with) let’s take a closer look at Medicare/Medicaid payments and processes, tort reform, and improved technology to expedite the flow of information and benefits.

Verizon appears to be proactive in its approach to healthy employees. I imagine it prefers preventative reward versus increased portfolio health costs related to high illness rates. Everyone wins in this scenario.

Other than the military and some infrastructure foundations I can’t think of much the government has done well lately (e.g. post office, IRS, TSA, Social Security, Education, etc). To place any hope in its ability to do well with this topic is pie in the sky.

Privatize Medicare, Medicaid, and other government sponsored programs and hope just might bloom.

Thanks for providing me the opportunity to respond.

Karen Small

Karen Small • Posted on Wed, July 08, 2009 - 8:24 pm EDT

Those pushing the “government option” claim that it would provide competition to the private options & result in lowering costs.  and President Obama continually states that if we like our current plans, we can stay on them.  This is inconsistant with what is actually in the congressional bill currently being reviewed.

The congressional bill includes many new regulations to which private insurers will need to adhere in order to qualify under the law.  These new regulations will make many plans much more expensive.  Businesses will be required to either provide a qualified healthcard plan to all employees, pay increased taxes, or opt for the government plan.  For many small business, either of the first two options will make it difficult, if not impossible for them to stay in business, so they would have no choice but to opt for the government option. 

Anyone needing making any changes to their current plan will nolonger qualify to stay on their private plan & will be forced to go on the government plan.  Private insurers will not be allowed to accepted any new clients after 5 years.

This is not providing competition, this is eliminating competition.  How can private insurers compete with the government who provides “free” healthcare & writes all the rules?  It provides insentive for companies to opt fo the government plan, and the employee has no real say in the matter.

Real reform would be a plan that puts the employee, or rather the individual back in the driver seat.  We would need a plan that allows individuals to be able to make our own choices regarding the kind of healthcare plan we want.  A plan where employers can provide an allowance that can be put toward the employees own qualified plan.  And allow the insurance plan to follow the employee when changing employers.  Allow insurers to compete across state boundaries.  And, tort reform would also be needed.

Mike C • Posted on Mon, August 31, 2009 - 9:59 am EDT