What is Health Care Reform -- The Blame Game

I don't pretend to understand the complexities of the healthcare reform debate, but I do know that whatever is going on in Washington has not been explained by the proponents and solid, reasoned objections have not been voiced by the opposition.

As a business person, the one thing I am certain about, however, is that competition does not exist in health care. I also know that there has been lip-service to the idea of engendering competition, but no real attempt to create competition.

Let's blame the Republicans. Okay, let's blame the Democrats. Well, let's blame the insurance companies. Hmmmm. What about let's blame the fact that there is no competition for health CARE.

When was the last time anyone checked an Internet site to see which dermatologist had the lowest price for having a mole removed? When was the last time a person with heart problems or cancer evaluated the quality of service available by different providers and the prices they charge? NEVER!

We have been covered by insurance plans with the lowest co-pays possible, so none of us has any idea what healthcare costs -- and there is no pain for us to go to the first place suggested.

Have any of you ever been treated by a doctor where the nurse didn't say, "ah, Doctor Jones is the best..." Well, if every doctor is "the best," then let them compete on price. Realistically, let them compete on experience, training and price (plus perhaps the number of malpractice claims filed...)

It is the insurance industry that caused this, but it is not their fault. Will the new federal health plan cover ALL citizens like Medicare? That will NEVER save money. My 86 year-old mother goes to the doctor 2 or 3 times a week because she has aches and pains AND the visits don't cost her anything, so there is no incentive for her to say, "I guess it is not so bad. I will save the money." And do you really think doctors or hospitals want consumers to know what things cost? Absolutely not.

Simple question for pet owners: Has pet insurance saved money? No. It has allowed veterinarians to raise their prices.

If we want everyone covered, then competition must be engendered. The health insurance companies want everyone covered because it means more revenue. The federal government wants more people covered because it establishes greater dependence upon the government from our citizens. I doubt a "government option" will engender competition. You can't have the public sector competing with the private sector and have a fair fight. "Public sector" will be the death of the "private," and thus any hope we have of establishing competition.

Let your congressman know that you want competition in health care, not higher taxes and government control.