Before I spell out this idea, I want President Obama to know, “I want full credit for this idea and my Nobel Prize.” With that said, I think “Rebates” are the answer. To guarantee access to care, we all could pay $1,000 per year for insurance. This access would grant us one free physical and the opportunity to join a collective network. If after a year, we don’t use the system we would get a rebate of 90%. That’s our reward for being healthy and limiting healthcare costs.

Rewarding health must be the goal of any cost reduction program. Access to care would be granted with an incentive of a 90% rebate on the table to motivate healthy lifestyles. This is the first phase of this system. If healthcare access is required, the full cost for access would be lost. The $1,000 would be paid and for each visit a reasonable co-pay ($50) is charged. Drug costs would also be controlled by charging the issuing Physician. This proceedure could promote more accountability and reduce over perscription. Operations and chronic care could be addressed by simply doubling the access fee.

In short, Healthcare Rebates would address the issue of “Paying Something for Nothing.” Patients would be in charge of their care and treatment. Patients would be rewarded for healthy lifestyles and or self-treatment. Costs could be limited to $2,000 per year plus reasonable co-pays for each use. Doctors would be responsible for lowering perscription costs and overuse by charging the Physician. That cost could be monitored and passed on to the patient pool. Healthy lifestyles would be rewarded with 90% of their access fee returned and used the next year. Every healthy American would have guaranteed access to care for 10 years for only $1,000. The Rebate would force the system to cut costs in responsible ways. Patients would be in charge and Congress could move on to other issues like jobs. Yes, We Can work together and a healthcare rebate is my answer.

Apparently, Chris Matthews and his “Hardball Team” are fans of sports metaphors. I aim to please. This metaphor is on Healthcare Reform and the strategic use of the “Punt.” I think the best offense can sometimes be a great defense. Let’s see if you agree or am I just “Bitching from the back seat of the bus?” Ha!

Democrats in futility have gone on the offensive trying to pass healthcare reform, but we have been stopped in all phases. We can’t get a public option, we are letting abortion divide us, and spending a trillion dollars we don’t have is kind of like throwing a “Hail Mary.” We don’t need to get reckless. We are winning so why should we risk losing the game? If Democrats are the better team, shouldn’t we show some confidence in our team? Why must we win or lose true reform by going on the offensive? What about our defense? It’s stronger than our offense and we refuse to let them take the field? Bad strategy. We would be damned if we pass a bad bill and damned if we don’t. That’s not a good strategy for winning. I argue that we should punt to the GOP and play a little defense.

By punting, we will pin the GOP close to their goal line. With their backs to the wall, they will be forced to defend the status quo and they simply cannot. The Democrats as a team would prevail by proving it is actually “For America.” The Tea Party would stop immediatly. On defense, we could open the debate to all sides and take the best ideas to score. If the GOP gets crazy and decides to fumble or throw an interception, we can score on defense. With 60 votes, we can listen to their version of reform and prevent them from winning by playing only defense. With a solid majority, there’s little chance of the Republicans doing anything crazy to win. The clock is ticking and a punt would be in order.

As I see it, how can the GOP win if the Democrats decide to punt? Their punt returner is “Crazy Legs Palin.” The GOP doesn’t have anyone on the field or on their bench who should threaten us. They have the impossible task of defending the status quo as Dems move closer to the goal. Is the GOP willing to defend the status quo in the next election? We won everything and we can again. If we punt and force them to advance their “Party of Nope” positions it could finish the destruction of the GOP. Opening the debate is good for America. Be a hero Sen. Majority Leader Harry Reid? Punt, but make it a “Coffin-Corner Punt.” As I see it, the GOP will be pinned down forced to act. They could fumble or throw an interception like Joe Theisman did against the Oakland Raiders in the Superbowl.

In summary, a coffin-corner kick could give Democrats and America the momentum to end the political games quickly or the ability to run out the clock until the 2010 and 2012 elections. The GOP can’t defend the status quo and punting moves us closer to our goal. Are Democrats a team or what? Unity won everything. Doing something stupid on offense could cause America to blame our Quarterback Obama and the coaches. Creating an internal struggle for control of our team makes this offensive strategy way too risky. Do we need to hear the calls for the backup QB this early? We are winning. Let’s prove we are a team and punt? Harry be a hero and punt? Sorry Bill and Hill, we don’t need a QB controversy now. I’m with Howard Dean because in Carter-Kennedy Dems dropped the ball. The GOP had a star in Ronald Reagan. He ran our fumble back for a touchdown. Not this time. A coffin-corner on healthcare could lead to true reform. This is not reform. Punting saves a trillion dollars instantly. We can’t lose punting because this game isn’t over. Democrats just move closer to the goal as a team. Our unity won the day, not the game. Be united.

Let me reframe the Healthcare debate into terms we can all understand or relate to? Picture this? You don’t have healthcare because what your company has been forced to accept is way too expensive. Without warning, now you need your appendix removed. It’s not an option because you could die. You need care, but the system doesn’t care. You had a chance to buy the company plan, but again you couldn’t afford it. Now you must pay and you are at the mercy of the system with no options. It’s a stickup and you don’t know what it’s going to cost. How is “Having No Option Better?” The hospital can legally steal from you and the police can’t help. With no option, nothing actually changed.

This dramatic example is being played out all across America. The healthcare plan offered at some companies is far too expensive. Cost makes it not an option to accept the terms. Did the employees have the right to negotiate? Heck no. It was a “Take it or leave it deal.” To survive, some are forced to leave it and therefore they are exposed. For minor things, people can go to Walgreens clinics and quick care clinics. What happens if someone needs something major like an appendix removed or surgery? We have no option. We are at the mercy of a healthcare system responsible for charging whatever they desire with no options. Our only option is “It’s a stickup.”

Avoiding this inequity was the initial point of “Healthcare Reform.” We wanted “Equal Access” to Penicillin and a Doctor. President Obama changed the debate to “Insurance Reform” and he has missed the entire point. It wasn’t Obama’s original idea, but he accepted it and won the election. Insurance is a monopoly. They don’t negotiate and they have no competition. They can legally “Hold us up.” The system is unfair, one-sided, and it’s “Take it or leave it.” To Leave it is the GOP plan or “Death.” As Humans, we know it is in our nature to get sick. We have a right to healthcare at a reasonable cost. The current system isn’t reasonable. This is wrong but Congress looks like they are wrestling and the outcome is fixed. Where is the change we all demanded?

In short, I voted for change and it seems like Congress is about to “Short Change” us all. Insurance Reform is like paying off the guy who blocks the door to the hospital. It’s like tipping the Doorman or you get the Bum’s Rush. Insurance Reform does nothing to address the skyrocketting cost of care. Insurance Reform demands we all pay something when we are not sick. Why can’t the President and Congress wrestle with issues that matter when we are sick? How much does it cost for a (CBC) complete blood count? How much is it if we need an appendix removed? Where’s the competition between the actual care providers? Show me the menus and the options? The debate is stuck at the door and it’s fake. Stop wrestling the truth because what Congress and Obama are doing is fake. Again, Andre the Giant let Hulk win. Insurance is a Giant Monopoly but they aren’t going to lay down. Go around them. Take it or leave it is not an option. Address the cost of care and kick the Giant in the behind. Forcing us to pay when not sick is a reward for the monopoly. This reform is fake just like wrestling.

Sneezing in someone’s face just isn’t cool. Coughing up a lung on someone trapped in a confined space is a crime and there should be a law protecting the innocent. It’ too late for me because I’ve probably got the flu now. Should we pass a law to prevent the spread of germs and if so how would the law work?

Absolutely, we should pass the law to prevent the spread of germs. The law should specifically require “Responsibility” in dealing with germs. I’d call it “The Germ Responsibility Law.” It would simply state, “Anyone with a cough, sneeze, cold, flu or other contagious disease or symptoms must take responsibility and cough into cloth or be fined.”

In short, I’m aware that accidents happen; but what I witnessed all across America was far from accidental. America is rude and I think some people would spit in our faces if that wasn’t already a felony. The mouth is one of the dirtiest places humans have. Civilized people cannot permit the sick to exercise an exclusive right to infect people at will. God knows who will get sick next? If someone has HIV we require them to inform their sexual partners of the illness. If we drive a car and it gets hit, we can sue for damages. The Flu isn’t HIV, but damn! Take responsibility for your illness and do the right thing. Cough into a cloth or be fined heavily. Yes, I want “The Cough Police” or at least the ability to make a citizen’s arrest until someone rude gets well or gets a cloth hanky. If you think I’m asking for too much, I’ll send you a kiss so you can feel my pain?

Before you string me up for taking an aggressive position on domestic abuse that places more victims at risk, let me first say, “I’m an advocate for justice.” I don’t want to see women, men, homosexuals, kids, animals or aliens illegally abused or hit for pain or pleasure. I’m upset at the obvious bias that is being accepted that sends a mixed message on Domestic Violence and Abuse. I’m so sick of seeing the victim elevated above all criticism and accountability. My last straw was seeing Rihanna on the cover of “Russian Roulette” selling violence as a victim. That’s “Perverted Justice” and “Crying Wolf.”

I’m not one to determine the guilt or innocence of Rihanna in her personal relationships. I have fallen short in my communications and I have abused people in my personal dealings. I apolgize as often as I can, but I cannot change the past. Thank God, we must forgive so life can still be sweet. I know Rihanna nor I are responsible for anyone who foolishly decides to play Russian Roulette or is a victim of abuse. Rihanna is a celebrity, not a Saint. We all fall short of perfection. She is not responsible for any man, woman or child who foolishly decides to hit anyone in the future. With that said, I believe Rihanna is being mentally abused by a group with a political agenda. This group is “Crying Wolf” and someone who appreciates being forgiven needs to stop it.

Why isn’t the message sent concerning violence “Universal?” Why is it okay for a woman to hit? Is it acceptable to hit a man, another woman, a child, a dog or someone viewed lesser? Hell no! Why do women offer the ability to hype the inequity of gender as an excuse for abuse? I believe some ladies are unwilling to abandon a political agenda known as “Victimhood.” There are fringe benefits granted where we are not held to the same standard where violence is involved. Ladies reserve an exclusive right to hit without accountability. It’s wrong and we must address “Angry Woman’s Syndrome” too. We cannot enforce the law based on this perverted paradigm used for political gain.

In summary, we call it Masochism where a man permits a woman to hit for his pleasure. Some in society refer to this as being a “Real Man” and I just call it stupid. No woman should have the right to hit… even if her man has been taught to take it and or enjoy it. We call it “Sadistic” where a person learns to enjoy inflicting pain on others for pleasure. We call women who specialize in this a “Dominatrix” and some are willing to pay handsomely for their services. I just call it “Sad.” Rihanna is giving every indication of being a “Dominatrix.” It is wrong to consent to be hit or to give others the right to hit. The message on violence must be universal. I view domestic abuse just as I do public display of affection. It’s perverted for a couple to have consentual sex in public. It’s perverted if we stare or watch. It’s just as perverted for someone who has granted another permission or consent sexually to hit in public. What happens between two consenting adults in private is hard to comprehend. Hose them down and let the counselors work things out. It’s perverted to watch dogs in heat have sex or fight. It’s even worse to use these sad events to sell records, win elections, or Cry Wolf. It’s wrong to hit anyone.

Mandated Insurance is a far cry from providing Equal Access to healthcare. Where did Democrats go wrong? It’s like President Obama stole an idea and now he can’t expand it and make the dream a reality. The danger of borrowing ideas is the inability to expound on them when called upon to do so. The danger of failure is a tremendous ego could be exposed as a fraud.

All the “Little People” who backed President Obama’s rise are important. Banning us from the public debate gives us incomplete ideas and the failure we now witness on Healthcare Reform. Democrats can’t find examples that motivate us to take the right actions. Democrats can only offer excuses as the party is prepared to plunge politically into problems. Mandated Insurance Payments is akin to a Tea Tax. I see patriots throwing tea into the Boston Harbor again. What will the Government do to collect it’s new Tea Tax? This isn’t what anyone wanted except the Insurance companies.

Paying Insurance is like tipping the doorman to get inside the building. This bill falls short of actually providing any care. With no public option, the insurance companies could just pack up and go out of business. They could take the money and run? Corporations could decide dumping their insurance plans is great for the bottomline. Millions could be dumped into a pool of workers just tipping the Goons and left without care. This is so wrong it’s impossible to believe Congress thinks it is in America’s best interest. Perhaps, if Congress were required to have the same coverage risks they would see the error of their ways? If Democrats try to force America to swallow this bitter pill, there will be consequences. They will discover America isn’t a racist nation. If President Obama actually was doing a good job we wouldn’t be angry at all. The majority that elected him would still be cheering, “Yes, We Can” instead of carrying torches.

Misinformation is creating tremendous confusion concerning the Democratic led effort to provide Healthcare reform. Some call it Healthcare reform while President Obama called it Insurance reform. Are we being “Bamboozled?” I think we are. Why? The targeted 47 million people can’t be identified. Taking 1.6 trillion dollars and wasting it on a new program could bankrupt the current system. No public option is a reward given to the status quo for the current failure. Where is the accountablity and quality of care in any new system? How much money will be wasted? If we build it, is it dumb? You betcha! If Congress writes a bad bill are we stuck with it?

I think supporting a bad bill is stupid so I’ve been adding some misinformation to this healthcare debate. I’d like us to reach some clarity before finalizing the process. Invitations to the official debate seem to be impossible to get or by “Invitation Only?” Getting into an Obama meeting appears to be more difficult than getting into one of former VP Dick Cheney’s “Double Top Secret Energy Meetings?” What actually changed if everything is still being done under the vail of secrecy in smoke filled rooms? The process is not healthy for America and how can this administration be trusted if it is guilty of the same crimes committed by the Bush administration in violation of the public trust?

What misinformation have I suggested? I suggested we try to provide “Equal Access to Penicillin.” Healthcare is a national security issue if you remember the Anthrax? I suggested we expand coverage to the 47 million uninsured by creating an exception in the existing military healthcare program. Specifically, I want the VA to expand coverage to include the unidentifiable 47 million people. Funding for the VA is predetermined and this fact alone saves the 1.6 trillion dollar price tag proposed. The VA system is up and running, can be easily expanded with technology, and can account for the additional workload. Doctors could supervise cases as they permit Physicians assistants to accept more responsibility in a teaching environment. These teaching opportunities would expand the pool of potential future Dr’s and never jeopardize the quality of care from day one. A VA exception would be the public option. It’s nationwide, good enough for our veterans, and already in place. How does this idea get into the mainstream debate?

In short, I believe we are being “Bamboozled.” If all ideas aren’t considered, what happens if what is offered fails? There is no excuse for failure. We can only conclude the process was designed to fail. In troubled times, we can’t afford to throw away trillions in a hit or miss effort. Creating a VA exception is a go slow approach that expands coverage to an unidentified growing group. A VA exception provides accountability, and addresses training. Any additional money invested in the VA System would be a good expenditure because it would improves the current system providing increased technology and efficiency. The VA system can be closely monitored and regulated without changing anything. I see it as a “Win-Win.” Democrats get “Equal Access to Penicillin” and the GOP gets some accountability without creating a new government care program. I don’t forsee America ever cancelling healthcare for our Vets. If the system cannot handle the influx, we have some controls over the quality of care offered as we go. We can also ask this group to pay something. It’s managable, forward thinking, and saves 1.6 trillion dollars. How can anyone argue against it? Why isn’t a VA exception on the table? Are we being “Bamboozled?”

What the heck is “Obamacare?” Healthcare reform was the issue uniting the Democratic Party in the 2008 election, but “Obamacare” isn’t healthcare reform. Insurance reform is the status quo. To understand what President Obama wants we can’t rush past defining the difference. Let us first define “Insurance?” As I see it, insurance is “the right to pay something for nothing when you don’t need it in an attempt to avoid a stiffer penalty for not having it the day you do.” In the language of Jerry Seinfeld, “They collect our money, but they don’t actually make a profit by providing the care.” Insurance companies make money finding excuses to deny coverage. This is also known as “Fraud.” What is healthcare? It’s “the actual service the insurance paid for and you were supposed to receive if and when you needed it.” Insurance and healthcare are totally opposite. Healthcare isn’t profitable. In requesting “Insurance Reform” what does Pres. Obama want? It looks like he wants America to pay something for nothing and give away a trillion dollars. This could be the reason for all the anger in the town halls. America is not stupid!

Obama’s call for insurance reform reminds me of Michael Vick’s crimes. In one hand, Pres. Obama holds a trillion dollars in treats for the insurance industry. Like loyal lapdogs, they sit at attention begging for Obama to give them the treat. In Obama’s other hand is a cattle prod. He is using this to collect the billions stolen by insurance companies. This is “Michael Vick Sick.” The trillion treats will keep them at the table, but the prod will makes the dog fight back and bite us. Where is Insurance going to bite us first-the Elderly. If this dog bites, we will need a public option or there will be chaos. Insurance reform or “Obamacare” is not the answer or the Democrat’s issue. Providing healthcare for all was and still is the issue. We want “Equal Access to Penicillin.” What President Obama wants looks like it comes from his cousin’s “Double-Top Secret Playbook.” Obama is doing to healthcare what former VP Dick Cheney did to energy policy. We voted for transparancy and inclusion. What Obama wants is wrong.

Whatever “Obamacare” is supposed to be it’s now “DOA.” Personally, I don’t think he had a clear vision of the goal because this was the goal of the Edward’s Team. Obama inherited this issue when John fell into bed with “That Woman.” The idea is a good idea and it should not die along with John Edward’s political career or Elizabeth to her cancer. Healthcare and Insurance reform are totally opposite issues. I’m not sure if it ever was Obama’s intention to pass this legislation? His heart wasn’t in it like John and Elizabeth. Healthcare is not a “Childish Thing” or “Petty Greivance.” To win this debate we must fight with focus. Obama is far from focused. If the idea wasn’t originally his idea, it’s easy to see how he could lose focus. I’m not certain Democrats can win the issue if President Obama locks out every Liberal from the White House and closes the debate. He has a Republican leading the effort so it makes some Liberals like me question Obama’s sincerity.

In short, “Obamacare” and Michael Jackson’s tragic deaths are both mysteries. Who killed them and why? MJ clearly wanted to be like Elvis and Insurance reform is necessary. Not caring would be wrong. Michael’s death was had to watch because he was issued drugs in multiple names and issued drugs strictly reserved for use in the hospital. We don’t have equal access to penicillin, but nobody should have this type of access. It was a tragedy to see the King of Pop throw away his life and gifts. Healthcare reform is dying because we don’t seem to care about it either. Granting equal access to penicillin is easy. We could provide an exception to Medicare and or Military Care and not change a thing. This exception would provide 100% accountability to the so-called 47 million uninsured. This “Silver Bullet” could be revenue-neutral if we asked for a co-pay. Healthcare isn’t free and it shouldn’t be. Anyone in need would be more than willing to pay something to save their life. The goal was not to go broke saving it. Who should be forced to suffer in silence or die from the next Anthrax attack due to no penicillin? Who should drown in the next Katrina? Who should whither away from the flu or bad beef because they can’t afford the recommended treatment? Healthcare reform was proof, “You are not alone.” Don’t let it die because we rushed and or didn’t care enough to get it right. Insurance reform is necessary, but secondary. Congress shall pass no law banning greed nor stupidity. Paying something for nothing is stupid. Greed is the American way for Conservatives. Let’s focus and grant access to penicillin, then have a healthy debate about Conservatives and their greed? Let MJ rest in peace and let’s work to save healthcare reform.

As the debate over Universal Health Care or Socialized Medicine (or whatever name you’re currently using to refer to the federal government taking over health care) continues, we seem lost for a decent example of how and whether or not it will work. As European versions seem too far removed, we are constantly being told to take a good, hard look at our national neighbors to the North as anecdotal evidence. But, if Shania Twain, Keanu Reeves and Pamela Anderson are any example of our looking to Canada for informative analogs (of cowgirls, surfers or lifeguards, respectively), perhaps we ought to be looking a little closer to home. As it turns out, there is a significant section of the local population, that we can easily examine to inform our decision on the matter, for whom health care (1) has $0 out-of-pocket cost, (2) is run completely by the federal government, and (3) provides questionable levels of care and care availability, and that is, the military.

During my ten years in the United States Navy, people often told me about how “lucky” I was to have “free” healthcare available to me as if that were the big upside to the woeful underpayment that they referred to as my “salary” and the opportunity to enter a war zone in defense of my country. Nonetheless, this talisman of a benefit seemed to stand out, to them and to most, amongst the myriad of other perks offered to military members. It was as though it was a “Get Out of Jail Free” card for ever getting sick the ultimate freedom for a population cowed by the incessant fear mongering of the pharmaceutical and medical industries. But I’m here to tell you, not only is it not what it’s cracked up to be, it’s downright horrible. The policies surrounding military medicine along with anecdotal evidence of its failures leads to one conclusion: it’s a bad idea. I can honestly say, the single best thing about not being in the military anymore is having access real health care, and no matter what it costs me, I’m grateful to pay it.

Policy Oops, OK.

You don’t have to be an economist to appreciate incentives. In fact, one the most important things I’ve learned in business and in law is to be sure and understand everyone’s incentives to the greatest extent possible before negotiating or dealing with them in any way. Incentives can explain even the most ludicrous behaviors. For example, say you’re the heiress to a global hotel empire, and you’ve got a completely unthinkable amount of money at your disposal. Not only do you not have an incentive to work or create any value whatsoever, you also have little incentive to behave in a polite or even lawful manner. You can see what I’m getting at. Of course, these incentives still can’t explain why such a person would be famous, but hey, it’s not a perfect science.

But, with regard to military medicine, the incentive structure is set up to create mediocre practitioners. One of the first documents you sign when you join the military is an agreement not to sue the Government. That’s right, immediately after signing over your life and freedom, you also give up your Constitutional right to legal redress should they fail to live up to their part of the bargain. This also means you can’t sue anyone else in the military. So, you cannot file a suit for medical malpractice, no matter what happens to you. What’s more, the military’s doctors don’t even need to carry malpractice insurance they can make as many life-altering mistakes as they would like, and the worst thing that can happen to them is a bad evaluation. How free does that medical care sound now?

Seriously, you’re better protected from the kid serving you ice cream at the 31 flavors than you are from your military doctor. Which is great, except that the ice cream guy isn’t cutting you open.

Practice Don’t Touch the Sides!

Of course, all of this policy jibber-jabber doesn’t really mean much to you in the abstract. Well, lucky for you, I had a few run-ins with my “free” medical care that went a little south of “good practice.”

When I was stationed in North Charleston, South Carolina, I was assigned to shift work aboard a moored training ship to learn how to operate a naval nuclear power plant. One day I had noticed a lump on my inner thigh and wasn’t feeling well. I went to work anyway and began to feel worse. My head was throbbing; I was sweating and had chills. As my visible condition began to worsen I was allowed to go to the clinic on base. After waiting for over an hour just to have my vitals taken, they noted my fever was 103, at which time they instructed me to go to the local Naval Hospital to be admitted. I never saw a doctor there, and they didn’t offer me a ride. So, nearly delirious, and with my temperature rising, I drove myself to the hospital, over ten miles away, where I waited for another hour to have my vitals taken again. This time an actual doctor saw my temperature and admitted me immediately. Safe, right?

Wrong.

After five days they finally determined that my lymph node was infected and would need to be biopsied to determine what was going on. My fever was still up over 102. They ultimately strapped me to a table under local anesthetic to cut into my groin and remove it. Which sounded like an o.k. idea until I actually felt the scalpel cut my leg, to which “doctor” responded: “You felt that?”

In addition this parade of horrors, I also personally experienced the following medical mishaps:

* Waking up in the middle of my septoplasty (surgery to correct my deviated septum under general anesthetic);
* Four dry sockets after wisdom tooth removal; and
* Having a root canal done on the wrong tooth!

I’d be better off with a medical student whose only surgical experience was playing Operation while drunk at a frat party than letting these quacks cut into me again. At least for him there was some sort of penalty for screwing up even if it was only having to take a shot of Jagermeister.

There’s no “u” in “free”

Listen, the idea of universal health care is a fantastic one. The altruism is so pervasive that it even feels good just to talk about it. Pairing common access with the world’s finest medical care seems like a no-brainer. But, just like things you buy after midnight from the Home Shopping Network, the reality is a far cry from the promises (OxyClean, anyone?). When the government takes over health care, and more importantly when it takes over compensation to physicians, the incentives to excel, and even the incentives simply not to suck at your job, simply disappear. Much like teenagers, doctors in a consequence-free environment are bound to do some damage the difference is that the worst thing teenagers will do is raid your liquor cabinet, make too much noise and maybe ruin a shrub or too.

Uniform Health Care will be much the same as “Uniformed” health care the doctors will have no reason to be exceptional, and you’ll have no recourse if they aren’t. You don’t need to take my word for it, you likely know someone who’s served and they’ll be happy to tell you. Of course, it’s true, no one will be turned away, but what makes you think that if we forced to world’s automakers to give everyone a car at a fixed, low price that they’d deliver everyone a Mercedes?

Anyone who has taken the time to read my boring stuff knows I’m no fan of the health care system. Why? Our system is unaffordable and out of reach for millions of Americans. The system is based on paying a premium price instead of an affordable price. We pay top dollar because we don’t actually pay for anything. The insurance company pays the price because they can set the price. Anyone without insurance is forced to pay convenience store prices for health care. This is absolutely wrong. Health care is not a matter of convenience, it’s a necessity for us all.

To improve the state of care, we must demand competition to lower the prices charged. What does a “Complete Blood Count” cost? How much does it cost to draw blood? How much does running the actual building add to the price of care? If blood is donated free of cost, why does it cost so much if we need to get it back? Health care is “Big Business.” It’s a ripoff and nobody wants to ask the tough questions. We won’t like the answers. There is only one answer. It’s a Monopoly and we’ve got to bust it up. Where is the competition?

Sadly, we’ve got to be the competition. We must demand alternatives just like we do at the Supermarket. We need to know the prices up front so we can have the ability to “haggle” for the best price. We cannot just accept the price they demand. I realize hospitals know they have us over a barrel. If you are dying, you really don’t have much of a choice in what one is willing to pay. If we live, they hit us with a tremendous bill and that practically kills us. Do we feel grateful or guilty? Would you shop at a market blind and pay whatever the cashier decided to charge? Hell no! We need to focus on the price of care before we actually need to buy it. Competition can come from volunteering to reduce the price charged. Donating and banking blood in advance. Taking the cost of running the building out of the cost of care provided. Getting treated at home instead of in house. We must stop allowing insurance companies from passing on additional costs to unsuspecting customers. This is the problem with health care. We don’t know what we are getting and why. Getting what we pay for is essential wherever we do business. We need some accountability. If the market price is too high maybe it’s time for a good old fashioned boycott? Not knowing the price in advance is the problem. Certainly, we can fix it.