KANSAS CITY, Kan. - Health care reform in the U.S. is difficult because we have assembled the most complicated, convoluted, inefficient, un-systemic health care "non-system" of the industrialized nations.
The two biggest cost drivers are the American lifestyle of too much food and not enough exercise, and, the payer "system." Changing these two factors are "extremely difficult" and "difficult."
Health care reform in the U.S. is difficult because the elected officials who are to change or reform the non-system seldom get the opportunity to truly learn and understand the vagaries of Medicaid, Medicare, SCHIP, the Veterans Admin health system, ERISA, federal regulations, state regulations, and more.
All Americans pay into these programs via taxes, but only poor, old, kids, and vets receive benefits. No other country has different programs for poor, old, kids, vets. Instead, every other industrialized nation collects taxes from their citizens but then guarantees a minimum benefit for every citizen regardless of age or wealth. Americas segregated health benefit "system" makes us unique and costs substantially more while delivering less.
Health care reform in the U.S. is difficult because there are so many lobbyists defending every station of the status quo.
Many organizations, corporations, and individuals make money from the "system" the way it is. Hospitals, Doctors, Dentists, HMOs, pharmaceutical companies, health insurance companies, trial attorneys, etc., all will oppose some aspect of reform. They oppose any reform which might reduce their revenue or their ability to control who gets what.
Welcome to Kansas Free Press, Chris. We are truly honored that you are writing with us! Welcome.
Fantastic to see you here, Senator. I look forward to reading your writings. Welcome to the Kansas Free Press.
Americans eat too much food, but there is also the problem of the food that they are eating. When you stay away from restaurants and fast food, you are still in danger. Our food supply is poison. The additives and methods of preparation and preservation are filling our foods with poisons. I think that is a very important part of the health care issue that is not being addressed.
When people discuss the food issue at all, it is mainly aimed at trying to charge fat people higher premiums or "motivate" them to lose weight somehow. I see so many lower income people that are overweight and I know from experience that it is because the food they can afford to buy is making them that way; not because they eat too much of it. Stress, depression, not enough protein and fresh produce and, yes, not enough exercise are major contributors. (But its kind of tough for a single mother to find time to "work out" when she is already working two jobs and trying to raise her kids)
As far as the "system" goes, I just don't understand why it is so hard for people to see how insurance companies and other health care "middle men" are siphoning off millions in profits that we could recoup instantly by doing away with them completely.
Corporations do not have a devine right to profit from the health care needs of human beings and people need to stop putting obscene insurance company,hospital corporation and pharmaceutical profits above the basic needs of their fellow human beings.