An ideal health system

Another report from The Washington Spectator (full article for subscribers only). In 1995 Taiwan created a new health care system. Citizens get choice of doctor, no waiting lists, complete prescription-drug coverage, complete dental. Copays are tiny. Bureaucracy is almost non-existent. And they do it for an annual cost of about $600 per person, per year, compared to $5500 in America. The model for this wonderful health system? America's Medicare. The Taiwanese system also gives its citizens medical cards, which provides access to medical records so tests don't have to be duplicated and time isn't wasted during an emergency. Patients can even see a specialist when they want, though copays are nominally higher if they don't get a referral. So why does America pay so much more for worse care which leaves so many without care? We put our care in the hands of the health insurance industry. Their job isn't to keep you healthy. Their job is to make money. They do that by refusing customers, by denying claims, by wrangling reduced doctor fees, and by paying out the absolute minimum to keep you out of a medical facility. Through Medicare 98% of the health system money pays for health. Through the commercially available health insurance it is only 60-70%. The rest of the money goes to bureaucracy and profit. The solution in America is obvious: expand Medicare for all. Yet, both Obama and McCain won't touch that idea. They want to keep the solution in the hands of the people who created the current mess. Too much of their campaign money comes from health insurers, who are desperate to keep their pot of gold.