United States Health Care Solutions

Introduction

I am a Board Certified Family Physician with 29 years experience in Ohio who infrequently teaches students and who manages our five physicians and two Physicians' Assistants group with 35 employees. We do x-ray and lab services in house, I am a school physician and team doctor and do nursing homes and hospital rounds. We have worked with HMO's, PPO's and every insurance company, emergency room, surgery assisting, workers comp, Medicaid, Welfare, CHAMPUS and the Good Samaritan Clinic (our local free clinic that provides meds and care to the uninsured). I have seen all types of patients though not in the tertiary centers since training we surely see them afterwards and continue to follow them when they return. We have done no prison, Indian or mental health per say.

For many years I have mentally worked on improvements to the health care system as problems arise in daily practice. I have even tried writing them for my state congresswoman the wife of a patient. I am afraid the letter was not short enough to even be read or glanced at, and her tenure was short.

I am glad to now have the opportunity to share my opinions and knowledge on the subject in a format that will at least be read. I can now rest in peace knowing that society had the chance to benefit from my experience and thought and efforts. Therefore I do appreciate your time and efforts. All examples are local and current, the things that seem most relevant. Each health care decision in the past has solved the short term problem only to create another larger problem later on, either in health care or social ramifications. New health care decisions must be a good deal for every one and not just the vocal and voting and rich group that gets the public eye. Healthy living can lead to reduced costs and that improved efficiency can lead to reduced costs. The major stumbling blocks in the present system are enumerated and where barriers will be if we make further changes to this system become obvious.

The goal of a new health care system must be the best quality care for everyone at the lowest possible cost. The present fat in the system must be radically reduced without regard for who has to retrain for different employment. Just as in other industry the times have changed and the idea that nothing can change has lost their ring. The savings will come with reduced employees and lost jobs as efficiency rules the day. There will be social changes that offset these negatives and once adjusted we all will be happier, healthier and covered for health care with no net increase in the cost of health care and social costs combined.

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