Here are my thoughts on fixing healthcare.
1) We (the citizens of this nation) need to take responsibility for our health.
In general, it sucks. Obesity, diabetes, heart disease are epidemic in our society and younger and younger citizens are affected. If we started taking be care care of ourselves a major part of the problem will diminish. That is the increasing number of us needing a doctor.
2) The state of medicine. Sure, we have the best technology and specialists, but what we lack are general practitioners (Internists). With the cost of medical school skyrocketing most graduates are opting to go into a specialty, ie Cardiology, Radiology, rather than pursue a career in internal medicine. The reason, they can pay off the student loans in ten years rather than thirty.
When I was a kid an annual trip to the doctor for a check-up was mandatory. Now, its rare to find a general practitioner.
Also, we have become such a litigious society that insurance premiums for doctors are astronomical and getting going higher. This is forcing doctor's to do more tests and procedures, many repeated, many unnecessary, just to cover there asses. Two things Tort reform needs to be a addressed and we need to remember that doctors are not gods.
3. Insurance company reforms. Health Insurance companies should not be publicly traded, for-profit agents. As one insurance company officer stated to a Congressional committee last week 'We will not sacrifice profitability for our members.'. That says it all.
4. Government Reforms. Too many to list! I will say this though, our elected officials have forgotten the purpose of their offices and that is to REPRESENT THE CITIZENS OF THIS NATION. Instead they bicker amongst themselves as if 'party' matters. They are swayed/bought/intimidated by lobbyists, PACS, SIGS, and each other to vote/or not a certain way. They put way too much emphasis on abortion, drug abuse and religion thinking that these issues can be legislated into line. These are societal problems only through education and patience will these be resolved, passing laws is not going to do it. I'm ranting, sorry. And now a health care bill 2700+ pages long containing whatever circular logic and BS they can fit in it to supplicate their handlers. Pass it into law and then turn to us and say 'Well its what you wanted, live with it' Crap.
They need to need to leave their politics at the door to the Senate or House of Representatives, read a placard containing the basic tenets of their office and DO THEIR ELECTED JOB OR GET OUT. Being a Congress person should not be a career choice. It should be a job no one wants but has to be done and done well or everybody loses. Like we are now.
4. Number 3 got a little...well no it didn't. Number 4. back to us.
A) Take better care of ourselves, eat right, get more physical activity.
B) Get a annual physical. So someone with some perceived authority can yell at us about doing 'A'.
C) Learn to be more patient. That is something of ourselves we are losing. There are no quick fixes to any problem. Breath.
D) Accept the inevitable. Taxes and Death. Taxes aren't going away and you do pay them, whether you think so or not. Death. People die. Get used to it. No doctor, medicine or medical treatment will keep you alive any longer than you are meant to live.
E) Get involved in the public lives of your Congress persons, tweet, email, snail mail, get in their face and tell them what you think, and what you expect from them. Do so on a regular basis and encourage family and friends to do it as well.
E) Write letters to the editor of newspapers and other news organizations. Let your voice be heard by as many as possible.
G) Is there any 'G'? Anybody.
Thanks for your attention.
