I love Charles K, brilliant..he'd have my vote if he ever ran for President. I'd go so far as to say I'd be willing to go whatever route he recommends almost without reading it, ha. I did read this tho, and thinks it's great food for thought. Doesn't it make far more sense to simplify the system - especially with something tried-and-true - as he suggests, as opposed to bogging it all down with gobs more (as well as questionable) legislation? I thought Obama was all about trimming the budget, cutting fat and waste. At least that's what he promised.

Edit to say I could see where "adjudication by medical experts rather than by lay juries giving away lottery prizes.." could invite protests of insidership and corruption if not carefully planned through.

yes. simplify!

malpractice reform...I can't believe they've taken it off the table. That's what makes the most sense. It totally affects the way the docs treat patients. And it mucks up the system with all kinds of administrative costs.

Severing employment from coverage...I would love to see that happen. Since I am self employed, I don't have the benefit of having my rates spread across hundreds of employees. Self-pay, even insured self-pay customers pay MORE than group ins. plan members.

When you are actively paying for something...physically handing over the check...it has more value, psychologically, than when something is just given to you. And maybe then people would demand the kind of quality they seek. But the Gov isn't going to give that to us.

Also, HC costs that I currently pay and have been paying for the last 12 years are completely deductible from my taxable income. So, while I am less than satisfied with my expenditure to satisfaction ratio. I don't have to pay tax on that money.

There doesn't need to be massive reform and gov. takeover to solve this problem.

I feel like the current admin is treating the citizens like a group of 2nd graders. It's really offensive.

Finally a voice of reason. It doesn't make sense to totally reform something that can just be fixed by finding the problems and fixing them. Tort reform is a big move in the right direction, malpractice suits have gone beyond what they were intended for, which is protecting people from doctors who think they are gods.

You all know I'm a pinko liberal type, these were my list of demands in my letter to my senators and representative. I'm all for Canadian style single payer, but I'm not politically naive.

1. A government option for anyone who wants it regardless of whether or not their employer offers benefits.

2. Nationwide tort reform.

3. A fee scale for procedures and tests set by a government entity. (fees for the SAME services vary WILDLY in the country. It truly is a market of opportunity. Screw going to India for elective surgeries I could go to the Midwest and save a bundle, that is IF I wanted to put my life in the hands of surgeons in nowhere hospitals there to kill a few to learn the ropes)

4. Regulation of private for profit insurance similar to regulation of financial institutions.
(Do you KNOW how much these insurance CEOs make? CEO of Cigna makes 22 million dollars a year)

5. The ability to negotiate with pharma for medicare/medicaid. (Yeah we lost this in the last joke of a medicare reform bill)


We have really good, really f**king expensive health insurance, last year 30% of our gross income went to health care. This year it will be more like 35%. You wanna talk about stimulus? I'll pay 10% higher taxes, and still make out with more money if our family was covered by Uncle Sam.

I can't take a man seriously that looks like he was drawn by Dr. Seuss.

You wouldn't happen to be a big-city elitist, now would you?

He was paralyzed over 20 years ago in a diving accident..but is still so accomplished, more than probably most of us (who aren't disabled). I know that isn't what you're talking about, but it has affected his vocalization and breathing somewhat.

Hardly, but the numbers don't lie drive 50 miles north of where I live and healthcare IS cheaper, but the doctors ARE greener, and the hospitals ARE not as well equipped/staffed, it is a fact. But big city Elitist? I'm not in that income range.

Nice to see opposition to the proposition that has more to say than just "No."