Health Care- The Real Problem Is Not Care, But Cost

I asked a friend recently for her ideas on the current issue of health care. Her reply was interesting and a "light bulb" moment for me. She replied, "You asked what I think should be done for health care.  I think the COSTS of healthcare should be regulated.  Doctors charges, hospital costs etc."

Although I don't like the concept of government regulating what private individuals/businesses charge for services, I would agree that in the case of certain essential services when charges escalate out of proportion to the actual cost of providing the service it becomes cost gouging and price controls could be justified. Such controls could be set without imposing restrictions on type of services provided, patients' choice of doctors or procedures, etc. This could be done without overturning free market of health care altogether and without creating intrusion of government between patient and provider.

If only the President and Congress had the common sense to propose such a simple, workable reform bill !!  If properly drafted so as not to impose controls on kind of care or impose any restrictions on a patient's choice of doctors or treatment, this would get my my support.

One small example my friend pointed out is that "When you go into the hospital and have to pay $5.00 for a freaking aspirin that is not right." I agree and even if all the costs associated with providing that aspirin were factored in, $5.00? No way -- that's a profit margin that is comparable to usury interest rates.  Usury has been prohibited by law for years. So have cost caps been set on certain other necessary services when corporate conglomerates abused the lack of competition and necessary nature of their services.

Though the idea of cost regulation may not be popular with some of my readers, I think it represents a reasonable compromise approach to making health care more affordable and available without the pitfalls of government subsidized care or the single payer option.   ~~  S. Lane