Does Tom Daschle Really Want Our Healthcare Reform Input?
You've no doubt heard about the appointment of Tom Daschle by President-Elect Obama to lead the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Mr. Daschle has advocated for change in our system for many years, and he is well-credentialed to lead us into the future of American healthcare.
As one of Mr. Daschle's first responses to the appointment, he and his team have invited us ordinary citizens to hold living room discussions among friends, family, neighbors and others to reach conclusions, then provide input to the HHS team about what healthcare reform will look like. These "Health Care Community Discussions" are provided a structure, questions, and a reporting system. It's really quite impressive.
There are clear instructions on the Change.gov website, a form to fill out so that Mr. Daschle might possibly show up at your living room event, and a reporting form in place so you can upload the discussion results. Anyone who can round up a handful or more of people is invited to participate.
I was excited, and logged on to get the information I needed. I have many friends and colleagues who might participate in such a discussion.... and then....
I realized that maybe that's not the intent at all. Maybe Mr. Daschle and his team aren't serious about asking for our input. What gives me that impression? Two things:
First: The time frame. All these discussions must take place before December 31. So here's how I see it: the invitation went out December 5 -- smack in the middle of the holiday season for 99% of us -- the busiest, most stressful time of year for most of us. That means that the great majority of us who would like to participate just can't make it happen. That includes me. The problems with healthcare go back to the Richard Nixon days, when the former president first got excited about making profits from sick people. That's more than 30 years of dysfunction -- and now we're supposed to put our holidays on a shelf to talk about fixing the system? Puh-leeze. We get to choose -- family? or the dysfunctional healthcare system? It's a matter of priorities. And my family is my #1 priority. Yes, I suppose I could figure out a way to add to my already burdened end-of-December -- but would I be able to give it my all? Would I be on top of my healthcare reform discussion game? No, I would not. |
Second: the questions to be discussed. From the website, I can download the meeting moderator guide, and the meeting participant guide. The questions lead people in certain directions. They don't ask for thoughtful, creative input about changing a dysfunctional system. They just give us their pre-made decisions and ask how we would adjust to them. For example, the question, "In addition to employer-based coverage, would the group like the option to purchase a private plan through an insurance-exchange or a public plan like Medicare?" Well -- excuse me -- but who says I think employer-based insurance is a good idea to begin with?
Mr. Daschle -- while I appreciate the concept of reaching out to ordinary citizens, your lame attempt at REAL input, at a REAL exchange of creative ideas, is a bit transparent. If you already know what you want to do, they why are you asking us to give up our holiday season to provide you with the answers you've already predetermined? Isn't January soon enough?
Does this bother anyone else? Or am I missing the point?
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Photo © Joshua Lott, Getty Images
Comments
Since I strongly favor a single payer plan as they have in Scotland, I would not be interested in this farce.
If it gets to the point I can’t stand my US health plan, I will move to Scotland, which, because I am an Irish citizen as well as a U.S. citizen, I have right of abode.
Father Daniel
It’s sad that a historic opportunity is being wasted in an old-fashioned game of political positioning. I couldn’t agree with you more that if the new administration was really interested in feedback they wouldn’t be staging this rushed attempt at political theatre, they’d open the door for real idea exchanges.
Because of the rampant corruption with the hmo’s and medical system or Insurance in America, I have already voted with my feet and have immigrated to the u.k. with my hubby who is English. We had enough of the u.s. health care system and will not be going back as long as there is not a truly universal health care system, they will not get my taxes anymore!.
Does anyone believe the Government is any more capable of handling health care any better than they do anything else? Does anyone REALLY expect citizen input on health care or anything else for that matter?
Insurance (public, private or employer paid) is NOT the answer to our health care dilemma. It is in fact, the problem. More insurance will simply yield more problems.
The solution is returning health care decisions to individuals and their doctors. People will make good decisions when they pay directly for their decisions.
I think we’d ALL be amazed at both the quality and simplicity of care when someone else is not footing the bill.
Private health insurance is only for people who aren’t likely to ever get sick. That’s why they call it “insurance.” It embodies the notion of risk-sharing. Pre-existing condition anyone; it doesn’t want your business. The private health insurance industry grows by rejecting customers.
With a universal health care system, all of us would have basic coverage, regardless of whether we have a job, or where we work. None of us will get billed for basic care. Nobody will go broke because of medical costs.
Our nation’s most powerful special interest groups have profited handsomely from our current health care system. No longer could they command such exorbitant profits under a single-payer system.
Single-payer is how nearly all other developed countries run their health care and cover everyone at a lower price than what the United States does, because it is more efficient.
Sure, universal health care would not be free, it will be affordable. Single-payer through higher taxes will more than cover the high health insurance premiums that we and our employers currently pay. A system of affordable preventive care would be a lot more smarter and beneficial than a system of waiting until your body is broken, then do something about it.
The Government may allot so many operations per year, but in the U.S., the government is called “HMO,” which does it already, with constantly higher premiums. Big government would more responsive to the people than big insurance. And doctors will still work independently, and not for the government. Some people may get some specialty care, but everyone will get basic health care.
Access to basic health care has deteriorated terribly in this country by the market-based system, because much of the growth in expense is in procedures performed by specialists, and doctors who work in these specialty areas have the most to fear from a single-payer system.
In the case of health care, we have identified the enemy, and the enemy is private health insurance. Put the “care” back in health care. Give us universal, single-payer health care in this nation.
It seems we have little to say about our health care or anything that matters. While big companies are getting bailouts, veterans and seniors can’t even get decent health care. It’s outrageous and I engage in holistics for optimum health.
Part of the problem is there is no CENTRAL place to COMPLAIN to, so the level of dissatisfaction is clear.
Single payer vs status quo is not really what this is about.
Health care will only improve if ALL PARTIES get together, brain storm and figure out how each part can fit together to benefit ALL.
It means each party possibly giving up something and thinking outside the box.
1. patients should pay at least some portion – but you tell me how I can make a good decision. If I want to buy a sofa I check out what is available for what price. The information to base a decision on is there.
I asked my dermatologist about costs for various procedures and she seemed annoyed.
Should doctors have price lists tacked up? Hospitals have price lists? how would that work?
Should there be financial advisors at doctors offices and hospitals to discuss options the doctor has given you in terms of various treatments?
What if treatments are not affordable for that patient, but he or she will die without it or be crippled?
2. Doctors who don’t feel they get enough return, from insurance LEAVE the INSURANCE SYSTEM as soon as they can, instead of complaining and trying to fix it. What doctors organization could a doctor complain to and join to be a voice in this discussion.
3. Insurance cos make patients jump through hoops. who can you complain to about this and have it count for something?
As part of the discussion they will have to show how they will benefit how healthcare works without ripping off everyone else and causing more trouble than value.
Each cost hurdle must be discussed and figured in.
Where can we, the millions of Americans that are fed up, complain to make this happen? Where can we put pressure?