We're quickly approaching what may be the end of possible health care reform just as has happened many times in the past. We need something new that can take us to some ideal world where everyone has health insurance and everyone gets along. We must get to a point where we all work for each other, "one for all and all for one."
It seems that today we are all paying one and that one doesn't really care about anything but profits. That "one" is Wellpoint Insurance and Wall Street. We are paying large portions of our hard earned incomes, far too much of which goes into the pockets of the company and their stockholders. Why have we allowed these companies and our legislatures to have such great hold on our families and us? I guess the answer to this question is that we Americans have had inherent trust in those who lead us. We have trusted the fact that banks would treat all of us fairly; auto manufacturers would provide safe cars and that health insurance companies would provide all of us with appropriate availability of care. Well, I don't think I need to tell you anymore about where we are with any of these issues.
The people who want to start over with a new health care bill are unaware of the acute need for health care reform. If anything should start over, it's the way current health insurance companies run their businesses. They should realize that insurance is there to protect us from the unforeseen, not to provide other individuals with unconscionable profits. We should go back to that time when health insurance was a "not-for-profit" business. If profits are just part of the business, we should put much greater controls on just how much profit there should be. I understand that, state by state, there are different amounts of profits allowed, 30 % in California compared to 7.5% in Alabama. Why the discrepancy? The bottom line is they can get away with it and we continue to allow them this opportunity by paying the ultimate the price, with our dollars and our health. We all need health care. It should be available to all, as it is in most civilized countries in the world. Our health care shouldn't be held captive by big business.
So, what should we do?
1. Change state laws that encourage enormous profits to health insurance companies. Assembly member Bob Blumenfield, (40th District Calif) is carrying legislation, AB 1759, that will prohibit health insurers from raising rates mid-contract on businesses that provide insurance to their employees. It is estimated that three million Californians with work-based coverage are at risk of these increases due to a loophole in their contracts. We need to support Assemblyman Blumenfield in his efforts.
2. Legislate new laws that would require approval for rate changes.
3. Require insurance companies to re-invest a large portion of its profits to protect against future occurrences.
4. Instead of paying exorbitant increases in premiums, consider increased taxes, spread across the entire economy. An immediate thought would be a 10-cent per gallon gas tax. Another idea would be a health consumption tax. This would be across the board for all, rich and poor. This would immediately fund a good portion of the money required for a new health care program.
We need to:
1. Provide basic health to every citizen in this country. Very much like Medicare. The infrastructure is already in place. The cost of administration is minimal and there are no profit motives.
2. If you want more comprehensive care, either pay for it out of pocket or buy new policy that would provide that extra care.
3. Establish peer review boards on a local basis that would approve or disapprove care that is either experimental of questionable.
4. Require insurance to cover all care across state lines.
These are only a few thoughts I think we need to look into and change. I believe that the health care reform package, whatever it is, should be immediate. I don't feel that 2 years of reconciliation is appropriate unless the basic package has been set into place. After all, how will we know if it will work until we have had the opportunity to allow it to work.
What can THROW THE BUMS OUT OF CALIFORNIA to get this in motion. I need your input and your guidance, let us know what you would like to see happen and what the next steps need to be.
Follow Dr. Mark Weiss on Twitter: www.twitter.com/DrMarkWeiss
