Readers' thoughts on the healthcare debate
UNC TV will air a debate among the candidates for governor - Republicans and Democrats - Thursday, Feb. 7 at 10 p.m. For more, info on the UNC debates click here.
This is one of three UNC is doing and this next one will concern healthcare and health policy. The candidates all have their own ideas for what needs to be done in the healthcare arena. (Click here for links to the Democrats' proposals. And click here for links to the Republicans'.)
I was interested in what you readers thought ought to be on their agenda. Earlier this week, we sent out a message via our Reader Advisory Network asking what the candidates should be tackling.
To get the discussion started here, I thought I'd share some of those comments.
The best way to "fix" health care, in my opinion, is to make medical care providers compete: disclose prices of procedures so that people can shop around. As it is, health care providers simply send us a bill and expect us to pay it no matter how outrageous. We also need to have more people buying their own health insurance, instead of relying on employer health insurance. Rather than having employers paying for health insurance, give employees the amount that would be paid on their behalf and let them shop around to buy the plan that best fits their needs (why should a single male pay for maternity care as part of his employer's "one size fits all" health plan). - Paul Daniels-=-
The State needs a universal healthcare plan that could cover all uninsured persons in the state. I propose lumping all uninisured persons into a giant group and having the insurance companies bid on it. Low bid with the most coverage gets the business. Those who can pay the premium can pay it. These would be small business owners or employees of companies who do not now offer health plans. The company could contribut if it so chose. The State could and should help fund those who cannot pay themselves due to lack of sufficient income. - Charles Hook
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Any firefighter would tell you it is less costly and certainly less risky to prevent fires than to extinguish them once ablaze. Likewise, any sensible healthcare policy would include strategies and provisions dedicated to prevention and early detection of disease. Practical policy prescriptions would include subsidized or free pre-natal care and well-baby visits, free if not mandatory screening for common cancers, and other preventative measures for the uninsured. The key is to reduce the number of times uninsured people use emergency rooms as doctors' offices. - Robert Goldberg
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In response to your question, the next Gov should define what is meant by "quality health care." Once done, it should be made affordable to all citizens. How? Begin with health care savings accounts....pre-tax savings accounts invested in approved accounts, or allow a portion of 401k's to go towards health expenses tax free. - Stephen Jones
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I think behavioral health is getting too big a slice of the pie, while our elderly keep getting their services tightened.Many young people on public assistance have learned to play the game: working just enough to qualify for housing and child care assistance but not working enough to get off assistance. The middle class has to shoulder too much of the tax burden.soon now the camel's back will break. - Sandy Thomas
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I think one of the critical issues with health care is the fact that some seniors on a limited fixed income just don't have the money to purchase prescription drugs that are necessary for the health and safety. The cost of priscription drugs for seniors should be a number one priority for all of the future governors. - Paul E Sams
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I think than all the talk about heath Care is just a mask for bigger government, either in increasing taxes or gain more control over people's lives.
You are to young to remember the days when almost NO ONE had health insurance. Health insurance became a perk for those being sought after to join a company, now it has morphed into a right. This is socialist creep that has taken away our liberties and changed capitalism into a thoughtful memory of the past. - Marcus Kindley-=-
If someone saw the movie "Sicko" and they did not leave the theatre ticked off about the state of health care in this country, then that individual is either an executive with a health care company or they are in a coma. Everyone should be covered, period, no exceptions. For those that say that they do not want "Canadian" health care, I have family members with relatives in Canada. I do not hear horror stories from my Canadian relatives about problems with their health care system. If you have an emergency, you get treated. If it's not an emergency, you take your place in line, but you don't have to spend hours in an emergency room for a runny nose because you do not have health insurance. We have the greatest country in the world, but if you are poor, you cannot go to see a doctor? - Jim Galler
Now it's your turn. Just click on the comment link below to join the conversation. In the mean time, I'll be working on rounding up links to all the candidate's various health care proposals.