Let me start out by saying that I absolutely think healthcare needs to be reformed in this country. I must also say that I do not necessarily think the government should have anything to do with this, other than through enforcing regulations (on insurance companies and healthcare providers) already in place.

Now, to get to the meat of the issue. Healthcare is more expensive in this country than anywhere else in the world for 1 reason, and 1 reason only: greed.

This greed is on the part of healthcare professionals, industry executives, and most importantly insurance companies. If healthcare reform is going to have any beneficial impact, it must begin with removing the insurance industry completely, or whittling it down to a tiny fraction of the monster that currently exists. Insurance is simply a giant Ponzi scheme where citizens pay into a company, expecting to receive services at a future date, while the insurance company uses this money to pay out other claims and to invest in interest-bearing ventures. Insurance companies are not concerned with making sure that their customers receive proper treatment and are fairly covered. They are simply interested in making the most profit possible. The problem is made worse by healthcare providers who are forced to raise their prices because insurance companies do not pay full price on services rendered. This is the reason for the extreme escalation of costs (a problem which began with Medicare).

The only solution to this problem is to remove the greedy middlemen from healthcare. I propose that health care reform should set a reasonable price for each health care service (necessary, not optional, procedures) and all service providers must adhere to this price. If it only costs say $20 for a doctor's visit, no one will need insurance. Healthcare reform should also mandate that a list of costs for each test/procedure should be provided to the patient BEFORE the test/procedure is performed so that the patient can make an informed decision on whether or not they can afford the procedure. Also, for those who cannot afford procedure on their own, there should a mandatory amount of free care provided by each healthcare professional in exchange for tax credits or some other incentive.

I absolutely do not agree that health insurance should be mandatory. Insurance should not even be necessary, much less mandated by the government. It is a personal choice whether or not to see a doctor just as it should be a personal choice whether or not to have health insurance. For someone who is active, healthy, and has no familial predisposition to chronic illness, it is actual a MUCH BETTER choice to have no health insurance and simply pay up front. By saving up all of the money you would pay into health insurance and just paying the healthcare provider, you can save a great deal of money. Why pay $5,000 a year for health insurance when the only claim you will make is $50 for a checkup?

As for a public option, I do not support this choice simply because I do not have faith that the already extremely overextended bureaucracy can successfully run a program such as this. Until there are officials looking out for the good of each and every patient, rather than looking out for how to line their pockets with taxpayer money, the system will fail. Our government is broken and I personally would prefer to have a significantly reduced federal government rather than expanding the Fed’s reach. I honestly think that our country eventually needs to move to a single-payer healthcare system, as in many other Western countries, but we are not in a position to even consider this at the moment. Since when does the government not have to save for the things it wants like the rest of us? When you have saved up enough capital and can fund the program, then come back with a plan.

By the way, I am a lower middle-class wife of a chronically ill (genetic condition) husband who is currently filing for bankruptcy due to excessive medical bills. I find it ironic that yes, you can receive free care at any emergency room, but they will continue to bill you for payment until you die or file bankruptcy to remove the medical bills. Who benefits from this?

In summary, I VOTE NO!! on all of the current proposals for health care reform. Personally, I think the President needs to focus on creating jobs and stopping foreclosures and save health care reform for a time when we have the luxury of receiving healthcare (since most of us currently can’t take a minute off of work for fear of losing our jobs).

In relation to today’s news headline: “Obama to get forceful with Congress”, all I can say is wow, when did it become the President’s job to force through his agenda? Congressional representatives should be voting according to the will of their constituents and they should rightly vote against the current proposals as Americans overwhelmingly are against them. Obama has no right to try to force anything on anyone and it sets a very scary tone for America.