Dr. Ada M. Fisher
- Obamacare is coming and the price is one politicians and the public don’t truly appreciate. Not only will choices of providers be limited, services cut and pertinent problems not dealt with, but the cost will be prohibitive no matter who pays. Doing what we are doing is not the way, but there are options which aren’t as burdensome and allow more access to care than being discussed.
The one Obama Administration appointment which may prove brilliant is that of Dr. Regina Benjamin who through family history and practice experience will bring an appreciation to that job for the plight of rural areas and small towns. If done right, the 3,145 county health departments, particularly those in remote and rural areas could prove the key in making access to primary care for all available and less expense.
If Congress is serious about cutting cost, start with their own salaries and benefits, insuring that they have to put themselves in the pool where ordinary citizens go to purchase health insurance.
We need to require of health care providers a truth in billing provision noting what the actual cost is. Stipulations should be added that all must pay something, if nothing more than a dollar, for nothing is free and people must buy into their own care. Governmental reimbursements for Medicaid and Medicare must be at least 75% of standard and acceptable charges with an independent board to review these cost.
In an age of increasing unemployment, downsizing or rightsizing as some like to term it, world markets and global competitiveness, maybe it is time to consider dissolving the bond linking health insurance to jobs and let employers give employees set monies to purchase their insurance on the open market. This would require government oversight to insure that insurance companies didn’t “cherry pick” clients, offered competitive services and minimal coverage for some things required, as well as instilled a fair appeals provision when disagreements arise. This should make health plans competitive and allow better choices. This would also eliminate an employer’s responsibility for making health insurance choices and allow individuals an opportunity to choose a plan compatible with their needs. Doing such would allow businesses to focus on their core competencies and hopefully build a better mousetrap; thereby stimulating job growth.
George Orwell’s book 1984 told of the coming of Big Brother and brother Obama is now with us. We can help this administration succeed by insisting that the precepts of capitalism and democracy not be undermined, transparence in government is made clearer, and resistance to the government doing for us or making decisions on our behalf which we are capable of doing ourselves.
Dr. Ada M. Fisher is A Licensed School teacher in mathematics and science, previous county school board member, physician and the NC Republican National Committee woman. Contact her at P. O. Box 777; Salisbury, NC 28145; telephone (704) 223-2321; DrFisher@DrAdaMFisher.org
