Norwich Bulletin Column on Health Reform

http://www.norwichbulletin.com/opinions/columnists/x769901449/Todd-Vachon-Some-health-care-proposals-answer-issue-of-waste


Some health care proposals answer issue of waste
Guest Column

By TODD VACHON
For The Norwich Bulletin
Posted Aug 19, 2009 @ 10:49 PM
Last update Aug 19, 2009 @ 11:46 PM

Health care reform is the topic of the day. One cannot pass by a radio or television without hearing some mention of it. What seems to be missing from the coverage, however, are the sobering facts about our problem and the true nature of our potential reform measures.

First, let’s examine our health care system.

The United States spends twice as much — $7,129 per capita — on health care as other industrialized nations, yet we still have nearly 50 million uninsured people. Despite spending more, we continue to perform poorly on major health indicators. According to the CIA World Factbook, the U.S. ranks 30th for life expectancy, right behind Bosnia; 46th for infant mortality, right behind Cuba and Guam, and 20th out of G20 for deaths by treatable causes.

Being the richest nation in the world, this certainly reveals our national priorities to be issues other than public health.

More than 18,000 Americans die each year because they cannot afford to seek treatment. That’s rationing based on income. Those with insurance have more bureaucrats between them and their doctors than any other nation, namely the claims departments at the insurance companies. In fact, we have the most bureaucratic system in the world. More than 31 percent of all health expenditures go to administrative costs. Our multi-payer, profit-based system has countless insurers, each with their own overhead costs, marketing departments and exorbitant executive salaries.

These expenses combined account for $350 billion spent on things other than providing health care. Meanwhile, 70 percent of bankruptcies are because of medical bills, and half of those are people who actually have insurance.

The diagnosis: The system is very ill.

The treatment: Here are the options in Congress:

Garnering the most attention is the president’s preferred bill, HR 3200. This adds a public option to compete in the system. However, it does not address the root problem, namely the administrative waste of a multi-payer system. U.S. Rep. Dennis Kucinich, D-Ohio, has offered an amendment to allow individual states to create their own single-payer systems. This would begin to save money and increase efficiency.

Getting practically zero mention in the press is U.S. Rep. John Conyers’, D-Michigan, bill, HR 676, that would create a National Health Insurance plan. This bill details the creation of a universal single-payer system covering all Americans with comprehensive care — and for the same amount we’re spending. Conyers and advocates contend eliminating the tremendous overlap and waste of a multi-payer system, the whole country could have comprehensive coverage.

The final option, preferred by pundits and spin masters, is to do nothing.

These are the choices legislators face this fall. Please do some research and contact your representative to share your views.

Todd Vachon resides in Colchester.