'Novel' Solution Will Lower Health Care Costs
By Richard Olivastro
June 24, 2009
Page 2 of 4
Now, let's consider a series of visits to your chosen health care providers. Then, we will address the cost implications.
We'll begin with a planned visit -- your annual physical -- followed by a several unscheduled visits due to various illnesses. Along the way, you also sought emergency room care; and, later, elective surgery required a 10 day hospital stay. In addition to fees for your doctor office visits, and the respective hospital charges; add the charges billed by various other doctors, surgeons, anesthesiologists, and, perhaps, other specialists. While this scenario may excludes other possible health care services such as rehabilitation facility stays, home care, etc; your scenario would certainly include the costs of drugs prescribed for various ailments, illnesses, and ongoing therapies.
No wonder growing numbers of people have become so susceptible to the siren song sung by political soothsayers who sell 'universal' health care to the masses as if no one has to pay, or at least 'they' will not have to pay.
Most people know the lie; but close their eyes in order to not see their better self staring back at them in the mirror of personal responsibility. To open their eyes is to admit knowing the truth - politicians aggressively spinning their version of the classic social good into opportunities for gather votes.
Because of such irresponsibility over the years-- those consumers and many incumbent politicians -- funding health care via government increasing involvement has already made the system unsustainable. Permitting more government intrusion would add still more burden on citizen taxpayers and increase moral hazard.
Here's another truth:
What is needed is a way for growing numbers of individuals to be personally responsible for themselves, and their dependents.
Outlined here are principles of a 'Blueprint for Better Health Care' that will lower costs:
Each individual -- citizen or non-citizen - living within the United States, and its territories, is personally responsible to directly pay any health care provider for every service rendered to them - or to their dependents.
Each receipted out of pocket expenditure is tax deductible as a credit on the federal tax return filed by a U. S. Citizen. Those citizens with employer provided benefit coverage could deduct only the net difference. Citizens without third party coverage would be able to deduct the full cost of each actual expenditure, while those who purchased their own benefit coverage could deduct both premium and any net additional payments. Non-Citizens filing U.S. tax returns would not be eligible.
Employers providing benefit coverage -- including insurance company published plans or cost-plus third party administered plans - could deduct all health care benefit plan costs on corporate tax returns providing the employer directs all insurance carriers and administrators to reimburse all plan covered charges only to the employee, who is responsible, in turn, to pay obligations to any service provider.
No health care service legally provided to an American citizen by a medical professional or delivered at a medical facility could be taxed by any level of government within the United States or its territories.
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