Description

Health Care is a hot topic that clearly will impact the next presidential election – with many options being discussed. We should review what seems best and why.

U.S. health care spending is about 17% of our GDP while other advanced countries spend about 8% and yet our health outcomes appear worse. Why is this so?
o Is it the excessive overhead and administrative costs due to the insurance rules and squabbles with providers?
o Is it the enormous costs of some drugs – and the associated profits (symbolized by the TV drug ads)?
o Is it the U.S. habit of seeing medicine as the ultimate savior at the end of life – at high cost and uncertain benefit?
o Is it the very high income of some practitioners?

Can Medicare-for-All work?
o Is single payer the answer to the needed simplicity?
o Is there a good mix of public and private care possible?
o Should it be totally free or some minimums and co-pays as part of the system?
o Under Medicare would there be enough income for doctors and hospitals to be viable?
o How do other countries handle this – and be relatively successful?

Who is going to get this enormous challenge solved?
o If the Democrats win, will that produce a solution? and if not?
o Will the power of the pharmaceutical industry and the providers prevent a sound approach?
o What other means does the public have to get better solutions in place?