The people elected Barack Obama for change, reform and cost containment. The House health care bill offers more deficit spending and higher insurance premiums. The continued catering to special interests (vote buying) will negate improvement to health care and escalate cost.
What is so difficult about implementing a single-payer universal system? First, leave doctors, hospitals, and nursing homes essentially as is except for reducing unnecessary tests, procedures and establishing fair charges for services. Second, fund health care by designating 8 to 10 percent of each person's income, plus small co-payments for services. Third, institute tort reform to reduce doctor/hospital insurance premiums and reduce drug cost to the level paid by Canada and European countries.
This approach is fair and will simplify cost control and minimize government involvement, the escalating factor in cost. David Broder's Nov. 14 column was an informative insight into the bills being considered in Congress. People should not be be snookered by self-serving politicians whose main objective is to perpetuate their tenure in office.
