How I'd tweak health care in U.S.

I am writing to share four important observations on the U.S. health care system.

Four decades ago, it was considered unethical for doctors, lawyers and prescription drugs to be advertised. Today, it is not only tax deductible, but I have seen reports where more money is spent on advertising than research and development.

Malpractice insurance is outrageous. Need I say more? The patient also pays for this.

Allow more doctors to be graduated. I have heard of predicted shortages of general practitioners as people choose to specialize. The AMA limits the number of doctors into the U.S. system by controlling the schools. Open more schools; cost will go down and get us some more doctors.

Instead of Medicare purchasing expensive end-of-life hospital beds, wheelchairs and scooters - they should lease them out, instead. I know of people trying to sell equipment on eBay - equipment used by parents and paid for by Medicare.

College-age woman are shocked to learn that when I was their age 30 years ago, my birth control pills cost me $1.35 per month. They are paying around $60 per month for these pills, and how much of this is marketing?

Maybe the U.S. health care bill will shrink the malpractice insurance, a bit. But, unless we remove the expensive advertising for drugs, allow more doctors into the system, and become more "thrifty" with Medicare, it will be next to impossible to reduce costs.

Diana Skipworth

Geneva