Are you tired of the hassle with co-pays and deductibles? Are you sick with “in network provider” or “out of network provider?” Do you have to keep taking painkillers, while waiting for your insurance company to approve the surgery your doctor says you need? Ever wonder why people in other countries don’t have to put up with this crap?
The answer to the last question is simple. Our rule makers, a.k.a. lawmakers, are protecting the $2,562,840,000 in CEO salary and profits for the people who rack up 20% in administrative cost for every healthcare dollar they spend. Look at it this way. You give them a dollar for health care.
- They spend 17 cents on paper work; put 3 cents in their pocket; pay out 80 cents for hospital, doctor, and drug costs.
- Medicare spends 1.5 cents on paper work; zero for profit; 98.5 cents for hospital, doctor, and drug costs.
The G.O.P.’s “American Care Act” switches from subsidies to tax credits. The less money you have, the less tax credit you get. If you are rich, you get a big tax break. If you are a health insurance CEO, the company can vastly increase your salary and deduct it as an expense.
Robert Reich, in his book Saving Capitalism: For the Many, Not the Few, relates how William D. McGuire, the CEO of United Health Care, was forced out, due to a stock-options scandal in 2006. But McGuire left with a pay package worth $286 million.
Why Congressman Paul Ryan thinks these CEO’s are underpaid is beyond me! There is nothing in the Republican plan to cut costs. Republican critics call it “Obama Care Lite.” Actually, they are not far off the mark. The fatal flaw in both plans is that they make health care a commodity, something to be bought and sold–as opposed to a citizen’s right.
In this situation, if you have money, you get health care–but only to the extent you can pay for it. When designed as a right, you get care if you need it. This is a huge difference.
At one time in our history, people were a commodity; they were bought and sold. They were called slaves. The rule makers decided to change the rules, and we fought a civil war over it. The rules changed, and people are no longer a commodity. What forced the rule change? People with a moral conscience demanded it. It is time for people of conscience to force another rule change, for health care!
Congressman John Conyers, Jr. (D. MI) has introduced H.R.676, a Medicare-for-all bill. It is a Single Payer financing system. According to the 20,000 member Physicians for a National Health Program, “Single-payer financing is the only way to recapture wasted money. The potential savings on paperwork, more than $400 billion per year, are enough to provide comprehensive coverage to everyone, without paying more than we already do.” These doctors support H.R.676 as does Nurses United, and many others.
This legislation will cover everyone without deductibles, co-payments, and networks. It covers all medically necessary treatment for physical and mental health needs, including dental, hearing, and eyeglasses, as well as preventative care. You pick your doctor, hospital, etc. Doctors have no insurance companies to get pre-approval for anything. This is real health care freedom.
This would make life easier for everyone. School vaccinations–taken care of. Collective bargaining over health care–not an issue. Small business owner–no problem. Changing jobs–no problem. State, County, and municipal health care cost–no longer a budget item.
Too good to be true? That depends on you. Are you willing to call Congresswoman Cheri Bustos at 202-225-2358 and tell her you want H.R.676? Like ending slavery, we–the people–will have to fight for it.