Healthcare Plan for America

My plan seeks to utilize the present systems that we now have in place, and modify them to meet the healthcare needs of America.

We would start out by leasing space from current hospitals, HMO's and urgent care centers. Where necessary build or lease out new CARE CENTERS.

CARE CENTERS would be used to treat minor illnesses and emergencies. They would also be used for those needing maintenance care such as: kidney dialysis. It would also function as a birthing center for expectant mothers. Other uses may be applied to it as well. What it would not be used for is Emergency care (Hospitalization), Nursing Home or Assisted living or Hospice. There would be a required $25.00 copay or 4 hours of community service if services are rendered there.

A County board would be setup to assess and assist in the management of the CARE CENTERS. The board should consist of no more than 5 members of one would be the State Representative of that district. The State Rep reports to a HOUSE commission on needs for their district. They would setup arbitration panels to deal with any malpractice issues in the comity. Set limits on malpractice suits that may find their way into the court system. The board would also setup investigative units when necessary and they would him results over to the State Review Board. Setup and /or oversee a SENIOR REVIEW BOARD that would strictly deal with senior issues and care.

Now that we have the system in place , what do we do with the current one?

Hospitals remain unchanged and so do most doctors. I believe that this system will provide more stability in healthcare while possibly providing more money directly to the doctors. The ones that may suffer from this would be insurance companies ( although they are not completely out of the picture) and HMO's. With the CARE CENTERS we could abolish medical insurance. The Medicare Payroll Tax would need to be increased to pay for the CARE CENTERS and this should be done on a percentage basis. With everyone who works whether employed or self-employed , we all pay a percentage toward funding them. The more you make the more you pay. A cap may be put on it but I would like to leave that open for now. All Employers and Self-employed would be required to cover and pay for all employees, hospitalization Insurance. They could negotiate with insurance companies or even with individual hospitals for the deductibles that they would want to have. This may help in lowering costs for the employer but they would also have to have hospitalization coverage for every employee. Any costs incurred by the employer would be tax deductible (except for premium payments). Much as they are now for individuals and the percentages would need to be worked out.

This change in insurance should increase profits to employers and increase take home pay for individuals.

This also leaves optional, coverage for Dental, Vision, Specialized Care, and Prescription Drugs. An individual could purchase any on their own or an employer may want to offer them as a benefit to their employees. This also still leaves it up to the individual to use these services and pay cash for them. Private doctors may benefit from this in less costs for insurance paperwork and better cash flow too. This also may trigger a competition with private doctors which in turn may lower costs to the patient! Private doctors would also be allowed to treat up to 20 patients per month and be reimbursed a set amount on their taxes for this service. Amount to be determined and doctor audited by the County Review Board. By providing this service any homeless / disadvantaged person, no matter where they were could receive medical care. Whether, by a private doctor, CARE CENTER, or even a hospital.

The County Board would setup a list of places where someone could fulfill their community service. If a person is unemployed the state would be required to pay the Medicare tax.

If on Social Security or SSI then no payment is made.

Which brings us to Seniors. They can use CARE CENTERS, Any hospital time would be covered. ( Each employer would be required to pay into the Medicare tax, which would then be used to pay for the hospitalization.)

Long term care/ skilled nursing would be free and funded by any income that the individual had plus a portion of the Medicare tax would be used to make up any deficiencies in income.

Prescription Drugs would be free to seniors because all drug makers would be required to fund it. In return

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