“Edwards to Press Insurers on Health Care Premiums”

Mr. Edwards states that he would force insurers…

In the June 14, 2007 NY Times article, “Edwards to Press Insurers on Health Care Premiums”, Mr. Edwards states that he would force insurers to spend at least 85% of their premiums directly on patient care. He also wants to limit the amount of time on patent protection that pharmaceutical companies currently enjoy. Mr. Edwards understands that regulation is the key to changing behaviors of abusive monopolies. Will efficiencies be realized with the Edwards Plan for Health Care Reform? Maybe.

There are many ways to impact the way insurers conduct business from a regulatory standpoint. What about mandating preventive benefits coverage? How about fixing the entire medical reimbursement system? Cost is what needs to be addressed. Insurance company profits can be limited too, but the true cost of medical services needs to be fixed. Chronic illnesses, like diabetes, are predicted to cost more than 10 times what they cost now in just 5 years. Americans want the best possible choices at all times when they access the medical system. Edwards, like many other candidates is manipulating statistics to influence public opinion. He does have the right idea.

The reality is that our U.S. health care costs more than other industrialized nations…

Intervention is obviously necessary to control the escalating cost issue within our U.S. Health Care System. One of the nation’s largest consulting firm’s most recent annual survey stated that more than 85% of Americans who have health insurance actually do like our system. They don’t like the cost shifting. The reality is that our U.S. health care costs more than other industrialized nations but is far from unsatisfactory for those who have insurance or utilize medical services in our country. Every American has care. Close to 50 million Americans do not pay for it through health insurance. Taxpayers bear the expense. Does anybody remember that the U.S. Government does not operate without the tax money that working American citizens contribute?

Most doctors and hospitals do provide excellent, necessary and fairly efficient care. Our highest paid Senators in Congress can’t even get bills passed for years sometimes. These are the same people that are going to force efficiencies upon our medical system. Not the most encouraging thought. As the Government gets more involved in regulation and creating alternatives to Employer Sponsored Healthcare, for instance expanding Medicaid income requirements, the administrative costs will skyrocket. If the US Government spent time actively pursuing every citizen that qualifies for an expanded Medicaid program, we would make a huge dent in the number of Americans without health insurance coverage.

So, Mr. Edwards, the road to Hell is paved with good intentions. We need a systematic, methodical and detailed approach to revamping the U.S. Health Care System and at least you have put your cards face up on the table. A lot more candidates should be doing the same. Then we can flush out the bad ideas and embrace the good ones.