Barack Obama

Mr. Obama wants to limit profits of private industry…

In the NY Times article on May 30, 2007, “Mr. Obama calls for wider and less costly health care coverage”. Mr. Obama wants to limit profits of private industry because he believes it is the right thing to do. Using money from previous tax cuts made by the Bush Administration and regulating Insurance Company profits will not do anything to resolve escalating health care costs. It is an encroachment on private industry that sounds like too much Government to me. However, it may free up some money to pay for things in the current system that are unavailable to low income families. Let innovation and creativity be the motivating factor. Mr. Obama is correct about the fact that private industry and the US Government have to work together to resolve the cost issue.

More affordable coverage comes at the price of less desirable plan designs…

Unfortunately, Mr. Obama has not expressed any innovative ideas for improving our costly health care system. It is the same old rhetoric. The US Government and private industry can make significant changes that will make health care more accessible. What Mr. Obama is suggesting is a mix of employer based and government funded programs, which is what we have now in the US Health Care System to improve access to health care. He is not suggesting a Universal Plan or requiring all Americans to carry health insurance. So, just what is he proposing…very little. He has no real position because Mr. Obama, like most of the other candidates, does not comprehend the undertaking ahead of them. It is not the powerful lobbies that keep Americans from accessing affordable health coverage. More affordable coverage comes at the price of less desirable plan designs that will continue to encourage cost shifting to consumers who utilize health care services.

Providing health coverage to the masses does nothing to curtail health care inflation

That cost shifting becomes unaffordable for working Americans who have employer sponsored coverage, as well. Every candidate has expressed an interest in covering all children. That is the right thing to do. All it takes is money. Providing health coverage to the masses does nothing to curtail health care inflation. Whether the US Government, or actually tax paying citizens of the United States, are asked to pay more to fund these programs still does not address the issues of cost. More money for the uninsured will get more Americans covered with health insurance. Ultimately, US health care costs will probably decline when Insurance Companies are forced through Government mandates to cover more preventive care and provide incentives for other healthy changes in behavior. Subsidizing health care still does not resolve the cost issue either.

Over time, broader preventive care coverage and incentives that lead to healthy lifestyle changes could bring down the current health care inflation rate.