Health Care Reform, Part 1
November 12, 2009
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I have shied away from a discussion of health care reform, because I felt that the issue is too complicated. And once I’ve started down the road to try to make some sense of the debate, I’d probably have to make a full-time job of it – it would suck me right in.
And, in truth, the topics that interest me most are quite contentious. Why is the United States the only developed country that does not provide universal health care? How can we change the incentives of citizens and medical care providers so that we reduce costs and improve outcomes? Do we have a health care system now, or is it a “sick care” industry? Why are we not paying more attention to prevention?
I’m sure that very smart people are thinking and writing about these issues, but I have just not taken the time to identify them and sort everything out.
However, there is one columnist who is readily available and discusses some practical issues that are worth mentioning, and that is David Leonhardt. His weekly column, Economic Scene, appears on Wednesdays in the New York Times. He is also a contributor to the Times Magazine on Sundays. I’ve been a fan of his for a long time, and in a previous post I discussed an article he wrote on President Obama’s Economic Agenda.
Wednesday’s column, Falling Far Short of Reform, discusses some very practical issues reflected in the two different health-care bills currently working their way through the House of Representatives and the Senate.
If you’ve been following the health care debate and are interested in a sensible discussion, I can recommend this column. And if you’ve not been following the debate, but would like to catch up on what all the hoopla has been about, I can still recommend this column.
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I would love to hear from others on recommendations of articles that appeal to them. I’m specifically not interested in articles that rail against “a government takeover of health care” or call efforts at reform “socialized medicine.” I am interested in articles that discuss what works in improving health care and/or in reducing costs – priorities, both, for the majority of Americans, I should think.
Right on Roger. I agree with you about the questions. I would like to see doctors being paid to keep us healthy. I would like to see a drop in the number of deaths directly caused by people not getting medical attention. I would like to see more physical education of various kinds in the schools. I know this is not about the insurance issue but it is critical that we teach people about healthy eating and about exercising for health and about ways to reduce stress.
I would also like to see a tightening of regulations of food processing and of regulations regarding labeling of foods. (for example, more consistency regarding what is organic and what is natural and so forth.) I am particularly concerned about the movement to take away our freedom of choice regarding vitamins and minerals etc. and have all such things only available by Rx. There is apparently a great danger here because we are so under the thumb of the pharmaceutical companies.
We need more transparency in government agencies which control health issues. How can the people become more powerful than the drug companies? How can the people have more control over the food they receive?
I am rambling and its all your fault. All for now. Norma (Keep up the good work)
Norma,
There is so much room for improvement, and I agree with you on your issues. Stopping smoking, getting exercise and eating better are all no brainers. If supplements become prescription drugs, costs will skyrocket.
Also, we have millions without medical insurance, and thousands are dying because of that.
One thing that I am conflicted about is the potential for breakthrough drugs and medical devices. On the one hand, these breakthroughs will save lives. On the other, they are terribly expensive. I don’t want to kill the incentives to innovate, but I would love to see a way to make these innovations more affordable for more people. I’m not sure there is an answer.
Roger