The Future of Affordable Healthcare

Ok, so much has changed since my last post on this subject but this is probably the most important issue for this country's future so I make no apologies for posting a second time.

America's healthcare system is corrupt and broken. It is great if you are healthy and hardly ever need to see the doctor or take drugs. However, very few of us make it through our whole lives without one serious illness or the need for expensive drugs.


Too many people go bankrupt cos they get sick once in their life.

Too many parents have to choose between feeding their children or getting them health insurance.

Too many people have to worry about the hospital bills rather than concentrate on a loved ones final days before they leave this world.. how awful to hope your loved one dies fast so the hospital bills dont bankrupt you?

How awful that health care costs so much more because Doctors have to insure themselves to the hilt because lawyers are allowed to pursue ridiculous lawsuits.. and how awful that health care costs so much more because the Drug companies are allowed to charge whatever they like for life saving drugs..

Such are the consequences of unfettered capitalism.. it is time for some regulation and control over these expenses that mean health care plans are too expensive for so many..

I have a "remedy" for the health system.

Pass a law that states that if a lawsuit against a doctor is found to be just an attempt to extort money from a doctor for doing his/her job, and/or being human and making mistakes.. the complainant is fined or has to pay a proportionate amount of the defendent's court costs.

Pass a law that states that the drugs companies cannot charge more than x% on top of the costs of making the drugs (say 20%), and that the govt funds all drug research. Also make it possible to get drugs over the internet if you have a prescription. The drugs companies often claim their high costs are because they have to fund all the research that goes into drugs but these costs DONT come close to the amount extra they make (hence the huge profits).

Pass a law that states that noone can be refused health care on the basis of pre-existing complaints/illnesses.

Pass a law that states that no person should ever lose more than half their worth because of severe illness. The govt and health care company should soak it up 50/50 in these cases.

These changes alone should enable everyone in America to have affordable health care and not to live in fear of going bankrupt due to poor health.

Better still, make the leap to fully nationalized healthcare like in the UK - people in the UK still have the option to go private if they want care faster or "better" - but noone is refused treatment if they need it.