Sunday, July 10, 2005

MARCO Grand Rounds for July 3, 2005

From Warren, KD4GUA:

This Sunday we had a VERY interesting 45 minutes discussing what is wrong with today's American medical system. Next week, we are EACH going to come up with the answers. So far here is what we have :
1. Establish a US Council on Health Care, a system similar to the Federal Reserve, where politics and suing are largely eliminated. A one-payer system where basic care would be mandatory for all adults. Advance care can be obtained elsewhere. The money would come from two taxes, a gross receipts levy on businesses and a flat tax. (If you are for this, state "I am for #1--or #2,#3 etc. In this way we can poll the group.) SAVE THIS.
2. Continue the present Medicare system but allow all those from 1 day to 16 to be included and lower the age from 65 to 64, 63, one year each year. Withholding tax would raise from 2% to about 3.5%.
3. Establish a basic medical care system on the foundation of military medicine. Run by doctors (not insurance companies nor lawyers). The program could be run by the Dept. of Defense (against disease). Financing would be established by Congress. Funds might be diverted from aid to other countries to aid to our own people.
4. Return to the system that worked prior to the present mess....pay for out patient services and ONLY private insurance for hospital care. Remember we learn from history what works and this did work!
5. 6.7.8.9.10,11,12 pending.
Think about the above and place your plan below and number it so ALL can be discussed. Doctors are fed up being puppets for insurance companies, governments and lawyers. Our patients are listening and WE should deliver. Make it brief and to the point...and oh yes, spread the word--patient input is most important.

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