Health Care Lapses are One of the Main Causes Behind Increasing Foreclosures
Appalling health care lapses have been one of the main causes behind increasing foreclosures. Without jobs and suffering from ill health, these people hardly have enough funds in their pockets to keep up with a defective health care system.
The health care debate has been going on and on, giving rise to the conviction that the system needs a basic shakeup. It is necessary to shift from a fee-for-service infrastructure to one that is oriented towards better caring and not concerned merely with the hassles of procedures. Health care has to shift from being employer- based, which has been responsible for eroding its intrinsic value year after year. The new system has to be more transparent so that the ordinary American can see the result of choices made.
So far, the approach taken by Sen. Ron Wyden (Democrat/Oregon) seems to be the best. This approach was first inserted in a bill together with Robert F. Bennett (Republican/Utah). It has since been watered down to an amendment with the latest bills. It suggests giving people choices as well as universal coverage.
Through this new plan, people will be able to continue with their current plans. However, if they do not find it satisfactory, they can take from their employer the dollars that the latter spent on it. They can then add extra, if required, and shop around for a better option at an exchange, under regulatory supervision of course. Those without insurance would be offered subsidies to shop at these exchanges.
Everyone could benefit from this idea. People will actually have alternatives and the thriving exchanges would give rewards to the providers and insurers who proved their efficient, creativity and innovative skills.
But unless a legislative miracle takes place, the Wyden Linen approach may not become a reality – it was actually killed by the Committee in the previous week. The business section together with the union groups lobbied frantically against it. They did not want to give up their control over the benefit packages of their employees and members. In principle, many politicians support the Wyden approach but in practice they do the opposite. They fear that voters will revolt is if they initiate radical reforms to the system.
Thus, Americans should be prepared to find reform in the health insurance sector but not in health care itself. This means that the current system will be adjusted and expanded but not basically changed. The ordinary people will still be left with a couple of bad choices and not great ones.
