tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1174301114218706899.post7061431426999620576..comments2023-05-28T11:33:45.579-04:00Comments on Who Will Lead?: How's This for a Healthcare Problem?Who Will Lead?http://www.blogger.com/profile/03743247788371223606noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1174301114218706899.post-69056504994293820262014-11-11T21:16:42.214-05:002014-11-11T21:16:42.214-05:00You said, "Meanwhile the Republicans have lab...You said, "Meanwhile the Republicans have labeled Obamacare as "government controlled healthcare" and have promised to "repeal and replace" it. Huh? Replace it with what?"<br /><br />I have asked many of my Republican friends exactly this question, and, to a man, they have no answer. They are hell bent on destroying Obamacare, but methinks it is mainly because a black guy has his name on it.<br />When I suggest that Obamacare was modelled on Mitt Romney's plan, they look blankly at me, like deer caught in the headlights.'<br />A staunchly Republican (Tea Party) pal suggested that culling the herd, by letting those die who couldn't or wouldn't buy health insurance, was the nation's best policy. I've always felt it a disadvantage to argue these sorts of topics when in someone else's home. The feeling was strengthened when he mentioned he had several weapons ready for when government collapsed. A little later I noticed his gun cabinet and curiously inquired if I could see his collection. He refused, and told me there were guns in there that he didn't want folks to know about; they weren't for killing deer!<br /><br />You quote England's Health System, and as I have experience of it, Australia's and Canada's, I can perhaps shed more light on the current state of affairs in the head of the Commonwealth's system.<br /><br />There are two tiers, The National Health, which will provide a basic service to everyone, where with less critical things you will stand in line, but you'll get reasonable service; this is paid for by a compulsory deduction from all employees wages. Then there's the additional Private Care System, where, if you afford it, you pay a premium which will push you to the front of the line with plush service. Not perfect, but everyone gets care and, unlike the USA, the poor get economical care, not in the expensive ER. I've heard of folks going to the ER because their kids have ticks and "What are you going to do about it!" They even phone for an ambulance, because they don't want to pay the taxi fare.<br /><br />So much has been said, mainly by Republicans, decrying the British National Health Service, but it is a smoke screen, and is completely ignorant of the facts.<br /><br />I was under the impression that Obamacare was designed to reduce the overall cost of health care, to cut the waste etc. etc. But who to believe? Where are the figures? What mathematicians have done these calculations. I want to see them! My math is ok. I can read a balance sheet, but where are they? It's not rocket science! Someone ought to be able to cut through the fat and show us the truth.<br /><br />Until then, no one will lead.<br /><br /><br />Mike Caswellnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1174301114218706899.post-6870878160397256772011-01-11T11:53:30.932-05:002011-01-11T11:53:30.932-05:00HealthCare .... Hey, why don't we do what the ...HealthCare .... Hey, why don't we do what the President did about the deficit, form a committee? But then, I guess that still doesn't answer the question, "WHO WILL LEAD?" We had a leader, but he died 4 Presidents ago. He said that Government run Healthcare was not about HC but it was about Government control. In my mind, he hit the nail right on the head.<br /><br />In your blog you stated: McKinsey lays it down to three simple matters that need to be addressed: (1) the rapid growth of outpatient costs due to higher utilization, (2) higher pharmacy costs and (3) higher administrative costs (including malpractice claims). <br /><br />Until those issues are addressed by anyone speaking about HC, then we are pissing into the wind. We have the best HC in the world. We have one of the worst systems of delivering and administering it. <br /><br />"WHO WILL LEAD?" ....... It's not the obama administration and I don't think it's the 112th Congress. Then it has to be the electorate in the 2012 elections. If "We The People" don't wise up and quit bringing self-serving people to the forefront, then we get what we get. It's not Leaders, but "Ideologues" with agendas. THEY WILL LEAD ...... just not where we want or need to go.Ken Mayeauxnoreply@blogger.com