PatsFanInVa

IcyPatriot, PatsfaninPhilly, and myself started talking respectfully to one another about how we would go about answering each others' concerns to make a health care plan that works.

I'm going to recap the discussion thus far as links to a previous thread, for the "background". I'd like this thread to act as our own "committee," where we mark up an alternative health care system.

All points of view are welcome. We would very much like to avoid our usual bomb-throwing behavior. It's preferred you come to this thread open to doing a little bit of thinking and be open to some give-and-take. Obviously this is just our desire, and if people want to take potshots nobody can stop them... but it would be very cool to come up with something most of the spectrum could agree on at least in the PatsFans universe. Naturally it would be ubercool if we came up with alternatives that have not yet been considered by the parties, ways of "bridging the gap."

So get out your red pens... it's markup time!

The gantlet is thrown....
Native Americans and the Public Option

A wish list of features Icy wants to see...
Native Americans and the Public Option

Addressing the first point on Icy's list...
Native Americans and the Public Option

PatsfaninPhilly points out one up-side to interstate competition among insurers and brings up the question of incentives for "good health" behaviors...
Native Americans and the Public Option

My thoughts on the "good behavior" discounts...
Native Americans and the Public Option

PatsfaninPhilly presents PA's CHIP program which may be a good component to bolt into our eventual plan...
Native Americans and the Public Option

I ask a couple of questions on CHIP and point to this, the Conference Committee thread.... so people of good will who disagree can take our own stab at acting like grownups and fixing the US health care system
Native Americans and the Public Option

Please read through and if you want to bring something to the table, bring away! Here's to a respectful and thoughtful exercise, whether we can "work it out" here or not!

(PS, wouldn't it be a kick in the ***** if we decided what we think would work and after a year of mortal combat, the pols come to the same deal? )

PFnV

alvinnf

Tort Reform! You could start and end there if you wanted to. Let's face it these guys are all lawyers so that's off the table. Also, your 'ps' is part of the problem, it's gonna cost money and now quite frankly isn't the time. Yet, they think it's ok to cobble something together and let us the taxpayers choke on it. Disturbing, infuriating and Americans aren't gonna go for it. So my solution is simple. If you wanna fix it, start with tort reform, give it a couple years to soak in. See where your at. During that time you find ways to make healthcare more affordable through competive pricing amongst the insurers. If the government absolutely has to get involved, let them subsidize small business owners, so they can provide cheaper insurance for their employee's. Small business is what drives this countries economy we have to make their lives easier. We also have to ensure people work for their coverage, this place is becoming a welfare state and it's embarrasing.

PatsFanInVa

Al, what portion of our health costs do you believe to be due to our current tort structure?

If the payouts for malpractice are, say, 50% of our bill, then as you say, that's a pretty persuasive argument that it's central to the debate. If, on the other hand, they are 1% of our total bill, well then we still have a problem.

Can you do some digging on the costs of malpractice so we can decide whether to shelf the entire Health Care "bill", based on your affection for tort reform?

I saw Icy popped in and I hope he pops back in again... we only got to item 1 so far... but you and I can start working on Tort reform if you like.

PFnV