What should be done to help solve America's health care dilemma?

Question

American babies are three times more likely to die in their first month as children born in Japan, and newborn mortality is 2.5 times higher in the United States than in Finland, Iceland or Norway

Half of all bankruptcies in the US are caused by medical bills.

WHO ranks the US #15 for overall health, yet we pay a higher percentage of our income towards healthcare than all those ranked higher.

Prescription drugs in the US are, in some cases, 10x more expensive that the exact same drug shipped to Canada.

I agree tha t tort reform is essential.

Answer 1

I think this is an excellent question.
The fact of the matter is, there IS no quick fix to our problems where health care is concerned. Sure, we could raise taxes, and have free health care for everyone, but...
Well, let's see: They have that in Germany. (My husband and I are stationed there, so I'm speaking from experience.) Here, they have a VAT (value added tax) of about 18%. Gas is close to $8 a gallon. Everything, and I do mean EVERYTHING, is more expensive here. With the exchange rate between the euro and the dollar, a person can now buy a BMW for about the same price (if not less) in the US than they would over here.
Do we want that? I would hope not.
Our tax system DOES need an overhaul. However, that has very little to do with the problem at hand. That's but a small part of it, and is an entirely different question.
Now, back to my main point, about there being no quick fix.
First, we need to target those who drive under the influence of alcohol. Give steeper punishments for it. Those who drive drunk cost the state thousands of dollars when they get into accidents. Here's a rundown:
1. Cost of treatment for the person driving drunk.
2. Cost of treatment for those who are victims of the drunk driver.
3. Insurance costs on the car.
4. Unpaid tickets for drunk driving (which is often the case.)
5. The costs to the state of having policemen, EMTs, and firemen at the site.
6. Any damage done to public property (light poles, street signs, buildings, et cetera.)
This is what I mean when I say THOUSANDS of dollars, and that's just for ONE stupid, irresponsible person drinking and driving. How many accidents result from drinking and driving per year? Multiply that number by the dollar amount that an accident costs (I estimate upwards of at least $2,000, if not more.). Ouch.
The second step in driving down medical costs is to put a cap on lawyer's fees, and on how much a person can sue a hospital for. Sometimes, there is a good reason for suing a hospital, and/or a doctor. Sometimes as a result of their incompetence, a person is severely injured or even killed.
But other times, a person sues because they're upset that a loved one died while in care of a doctor. They need someone to blame.
I understand this, and I can sympathize. But that's a problem. When a hospital or a doctor are sued for sometimes in excess of 2 million dollars, who bears the brunt of it? Those who need medical care at a later date. Even if the hospital and/or the doctor wins the case, they usually still have to pay court costs, don't they. This then drives up the cost of medical care, which drives up the cost of medical insurance premiums. It's a vicious cycle.
And don't even get me started on how many people don't pay their hospital bills.
Put a stop to the cycles, and it will drive down medical costs in the long run.
So that's my take. Hope it makes sense.

Answer 2

Well, did you anticipate to have the federal government pay for you? Do you consider its morally and essentially proper to don't have any coverage or to lie within the avenue? Or allow others achieve this? Surely you did not consider the Insurance fairy used to be going to wave her wings? Yes it's draconian, however we now have gotten ourselves into a beautiful pickle by means of calling common wellness care socialist. So now we can have insurance plan the equal as we do for vehicles. Except that all of us have our bodies. The bigger the coverage pool, the smaller the price. Thats axiomatic in coverage, the federal government will hold a watch at the price of coverage, and we would not have the piecemeal patchwork we do now, will or not it's ideal...I doubt it, however its the nice we're going to get and it'll hold companies from having to foot the invoice which must lead them to blissful and it'll furnish a few deal with each person that's not elegant on them being younger and healthful. Young individuals do get unwell, they've extra injuries than the over 40 crowd and older individuals do much less drunken using. Youngsters also are those who want the longest care once they do have catastrophic injuries. Wages might best be garnisheed in case you have the money however refuse to shop for coverage, accordingly placing your self once more at the public teat for sickness and injuries.

Answer 3

Major and drastic tort reform to limit the amount of damages paid out for a single incident of "malpractice" will cut the cost of malpractice insurance drastically. That will, in turn, lower the prices that doctors and nurses have to charge their patients. This will also draw in students who would attempt medical school but for the exceptional cost of malpractice insurance. That will result in more doctors and nurses which will increase competition and further reduce the prices.

As far as prescription drugs, notice that those drugs are produced here and forcibly price controlled when imported into Canada. What was the last major drug to come out of Canadian medical research facilities? Oh, wait, they have to spend all their money on health care not research.

Answer 4

Deport all the Illegal aliens that are using our emergency room services for free.

Keep law suits down to a reasonable sum, A million dollars is more than enough for pain and suffering.

Tax all those that associate themselves with the Democrat Party 60% and all those that associate themselves with the Independants 50%. Those that are registered Republican will be taxed a flat rate of 15% so we can go out and get the best health care money can buy.

Answer 5

Three Words - Tort Law Reform

One major reason that medical costs are so high is the cost for medical malpractice insurance coverage, which is the end result of multi-million dollar lawsuits.

My wife's OB/GYN, who is a very good doctor, has elected to stop delivering babies. She didn't mess up, but her insurance costs for malpractice have gone through the roof.

Answer 6

Hey America, go back to The Holy Bible!!!!
Period!!!!

Answer 7

What dilemma - the one Hillary Clinton keeps going on about?!?

Answer 8

Raise taxes and institute a socialized health care system.

Answer 9

I think we are all going to have to start being less selfish and form a universal healthcare system.

Answer 10

UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE No matter who loose or who gains.