While talking to someone in management where I worked in the 1980s. I was informed on how much it cost the company to insure just one worker..Although it would be considered a paltry sum by today's standards. I was appalled. I told them that there was know way that could be sustained in the long run. I remember saying if we do not find another way to fund health insurance that many if not most companies will be forced to move factories and facilities to places where there were no expectations of employers to provide health insurance.
I will admit that is not the sole purpose many of our jobs have ended up over seas and many of our companies have trouble competing. However it certainly one of the main reasons.
Lack of insurance is one of the top 3 reasons for bankruptcy and foreclosure in this nation. It is the single greatest reason in this nation for cancer deaths that could have been prevented by early detection.. It is the main reason poor children have more health problems and lack dental and eye care. Lack of insurance is one the greatest causes of human suffering !
I do think there is a way the government could solve this problem in a way that most people on both the left and right could live with.. Before anyone immediately dismisses me as a kook hear me out please . Vouchers !!
If vouchers could be obtained to shop for the best private insurance that could be found the free market could be used to reduce cost. The vouchers would be given to the destitute for free..The working poor and middle class would pay according to their ability. If there were those who choose not to participate such as the very young or very rich they could for a small fee opt out..The very rich do not always stay rich and the very young do not ever stay young. The fee charged to them would act as insurance for them in times when they need to opt in.. The fee would not have to be punitive because they are not using the vouchers..Those who chose to opt out either to buy a high end insurance plan or pay cash for services rendered would help drive down medical costs because drug companies hospitals and doctors could compete for their business in the free market, driving down cost..
If this was done at the state level. States, Insurance companies, health care and pharmaceutical companies would be thrown into a free market situation. States would be competing for business an labor by offering the best plan or most options for the best price..States, Insurance and health care providers of all kinds would not be forced into an adversarial or dictatorial role..Businesses that can afford it could offer to pay for some or all of the price of vouchers as a way to attract workers. Or they could hire more workers without worrying about insurance costs.
If this was implemented and the vouchers covered all basic non-elective health care needs of all kinds..There would not be the need for Medicare, Medicaid and the bureaucracy that goes with them.States could choose to subsidize or raise the cost of the price of the vouchers according to need and situation..
All people would be able to be insured and it would be a great help to both large and small business..This is an idea that in my opinion has at least some merit and deserves some consideration.
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