I’m can’t believe I’m still hearing talk about the current health care bill being passed. I had hoped, like the majority of Americans, that with the election of Scott Brown the current bill was dead on arrival in conference. Now, I hear reports of a split communication strategy, with some Senators calling for a cooling off period while simultaneously slipping through the hidden doors of Washington D.C.’s many smoke-filled backrooms to cut a deal. (Where are they getting all the smoke for those backrooms?) But maybe a little fresh air would help clear everyone’s head.

Instead of a 2,000-page wish-list maybe our representatives could just ask us we need. Because if the address what we need, the whole thing becomes fairly simple. Most of us don’t need much. The only reason the health care bill is so large is that we confuse what we want with what we need. In fact, that’s pretty much what’s wrong with the whole picture these days. We can no longer distinguish between what we want and what we need, so we get neither.

So, what do most Americans need when it comes to health care? Security, affordability, and choice:

1. Studies show that the leading cause of bankruptcy among middle-class Americans is a catastrophic medical situation. So why not create a program for this situation modeled after the federal student loan program, allowing patients to get grants and government-backed loans to cover their care? This puts the patient, their family, and their doctor in charge of how the money is spent, bringing stability to a financially volatile situation. Because the loan money is guaranteed, the banks can safely make loans and make money.
2. I can buy car insurance, life insurance, and stubbed-toe insurance across state lines, but not health insurance. What gives? If I could shop for health insurance the same way I shop for car insurance, I’m pretty sure I could get a better deal.
3. What about alternative remedies? There is some concern in the healing arts community that the bill now under consideration would limit and even outlaw proven alternative treatments. Again, why take away the patient’s choice? If I can’t sleep, why shouldn’t I be able to drink a cup of chamomile tea instead of taking the government-approved medication?  Shouldn’t the choice be mine?

We all agree that insurance companies shouldn’t be able to un-enroll you when you become ill or deny you coverage because of a pre-existing condition. Let’s face it, we all have a pre-existing condition. Sooner or later everyone will expire. But the last thing any of us needs is a bureaucrat telling us which pill to take.

“This is your last chance. After this, there is no turning back. You take the blue pill — the story ends, you wake up in your bed and believe whatever you want to believe. You take the red pill — you stay in Wonderland and I show you how deep the rabbit-hole goes.” ~Morpheous

Hopefully, this giant, stale bill will get a good airing out. It’s too bulky, chocked full of programs we don’t need and can’t afford. With any luck, our representatives will be reinvigorated and energized after a bit of fresh air and won’t want to return to the smoke-filled back rooms.

Tags: health care