Obamacare was a disaster. Prior to Obamacare most people were quite happy with their healthcare plans and relative to today they were substantially cheaper.
So going back to before Obamacare would be a huge improvement but there were legitimate problems prior to Obamacare.
The solution to the problem of price gouging such as Mylan was engaged in is competition. In a free market price gouging attracts competitors and prices fall.
So you would allow Mylan to have a monopoly and charge whatever they wish? Yes or no. If yes, then do you not believe in antitrust law? If no, we agree.
Here's what needs to be done to improve healthcare.
Realize that government involvement needs to be at a minimum and that when government is involved that money needs to flow to providers and insurers through consumers, not big government programs.
For the most part yes, however, like Trump promised during his campaign but seems to be reneging on, I believe we need a safety net for those who are incapacitated, elderly or otherwise infirm - much like the Medicaid program we have in our state (called Medical). We have it all - 1) boutique (cash) doctors, 2) doctors who accept insurance from wherever WE as individuals choose and 3) a program for those who are not financially able.
Healthcare needs to be uncoupled from employment and therefore be completely portable.
* This should be optional. If a company decides to offer healthcare as a BENEFIT to attract quality people, they should have the freedom to do just that. If not, it should not be required and it is not now in private industry.
Everyone should get a tax break on buying healthcare.
* Yes and we currently get one.
Competition across state lines.
*Yes - just as it is now in California.
Health savings accounts.
*Yes - optional if individual desires. Last time I looked, they were available. I chose not to participate but definitely they should be available.
If you've been in the private insurance market in any way and you want to change companies the new company must cover your pre-existing condition if it developed during your participation in the private insurance market.
*Agree but would extend that to pre-existing conditions should be covered just as Trump promised during his campaign.
Consumers can band together in any groups they want to get group insurance rates on plans.
*Yes
Kids can stay on parent's plans as long as they are full time students up to age 26. Bring back castasteophic plans which is all most 20 something's really need.
*Yes
Our problems are very fixable, though no situation will be perfect. There will always be tough situations and sad cases but those can be dealt with through sane, minimalistic government policies and private charity.
*Agree in general, however, our definitions of 'sane' are obviously different
The key is a free market approach.
* I say a multi-layered system - 1) totally free market (cash) 2) Insurance plans and 3) a safety net most likely county, state or federal.
I point you to plastic surgery and LASIK procedures. The quality of both has risen significantly while prices have fallen significantly because both have stayed directly linked to what consumers are able and willing to pay. Why aren't nose jobs 50k? Because hardly anyone can or will pay that for them.
*Generally agree however, situations like Epi pen that are monopolistic and life threatening need to be controlled. That situation is much different than a nose job.
The closer we get to a free market and the concept of genuine insurance, the better off we will be. The free market doesn't bring about perfection, it's just far better at getting us close than any other approach.
