Give us abilty to 'shop' for health care
So, the Affordable Care Act, aka "Obamacare" is far more expensive than anticipated and collapsing under its own weight? Want to see my shocked face?
Only the Democrats, who rammed this beast through Congress, thought this plan had any chance of being "affordable."
Chief among its weaknesses is the fact that providers cannot sell across state lines. Only marketplace competition and the ability to buy and sell across state lines will drive costs down. Additionally, forcing consumers to "shop" for health care services just like they shop for all non-subsidized goods and services will further reduce costs.
Today users have no skin in the game. When spending OPM (Other People's Money) convenience always trumps frugality and all government programs are about OPM. Until Americans start shopping for health care just like they shop for big screen TVs healthcare costs will continue to rise.
Reducing costs can be accomplished by making consumers bear "first dollar" accountability. All policies should have a significant deductible which would encourage consumers to shop for bargains in health care just as they do for cars and TVs.
Nothing will raise your health care insurance IQ faster than making you accountable for first dollar spending. And you might be amazed by the deals that are out there. As a self-employed professional I purchased high deductible individual policies for my family linked to a Medical Savings Account. Forced to shop for bargains I found chest x-rays from the local imaging center for $37 years ago that cost $252 at the hospital.
While the ACA does contain some features worth retaining another major flaw in the program are the mandates. Why are childless seniors required to buy policies that contain maternity and pediatric dental benefits? People typically don't like being forced to buy things they don't think they need. Shopping for health care insurance should be no different and will only become more affordable when providers (read: government) understand this.
Martin Dettmer
Wheaton