Overhaul the nation’s medical system - Is this inevitable?

Question

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/06/business/06schism.html

Corporate medical costs are ballooning, top executives of large companies are starting to call for a national approach to fixing health care.

Since Big Business influences the government in America to such a large extent, Is this inevitable?

Answer 1

I think the tort system needs changing first. Not all of the increased costs are medical. Most are insurance costs related to lawsuits.

next change the hearing system for the doctor review board. NO DOCTORS on the board because they DO take care of their own. If the are guilty of malpractice a STIFF penalty up to and including loss of their medical license is appropriate.

Because of a shortage of qualified doctors, mostly due to the lack of qualified training facilities, the government should create (through tax incentives) more qualified training facilities, with the doctor training provided for free, and the doctor must perform x number of YEARS of community medicine at reduced rates or for free, equivalent to the cost of the medical training.

After THOSE changes t might be appropriate to look into socialized medicine, but certainly not as a first step.

Answer 2

Costs go up b/c there are third parties involved, namely the insurance companies who are looking to make a buck. Therefore, the hospitals and doctors raise the prices to make up for those who don't have health insurance. If it was up to the government as to how much is a "reasonable and customary charge" instead of 15 different health insurance companies, I think there would be much less of a hit on the patients receiving the care. And it would equate to less premiums, less deductibles, less out of pocket, and less loss all around.

Answer 3

Medical cost had been skyrocketing since many people wanted to live long. Big businesses must cooperate on this menace to the people who could not afford health care.

Answer 4

Yes, it's ridiculous that our businesses should compete with businesses who don't shoulder their nations' health care costs. Plus, it should be a human right. Lastly, it's just plain stupid to give a third of our health care dollars to paper pushers.