Choice is important, whether it be Health Care or our K-12 systems of Edcuation in the USA

Choice is important in both Health Care and in Education in the USA.

The consumer is often best protected when there is competition in the marketplace and options for the consumer to select.

The Friday, August 28, 2009 edition of USA Today features a story titled, L.A. school board OKs school choice plan with private operators. For more on the issue of school choice, read the Public Interest Institutes's brief titled School Choice in America and Iowa: The Time for Change is Now.

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"And if there are going to be limits, who . . . is going to enforce the rules for a system like that?"

"President Obama called it the "right question" -- then failed to answer it.
This was not surprising: The query is emerging as the ultimate challenge in reining in health-care costs that now consume $2.5 trillion per year, or 16 percent of the economy. How will tough decisions be made about what to spend money on? In a country where "rationing" is a dirty word, who will say no?" - The Washington Post

The Wednesday, July 8, 2009 edition of The Washington Post features an article titled, "In Retooled Health-Care System, Who Will Say No?" For more on this issue, read the Public Interest Institutes's brief titled "A Health Care Prescription for Iowa."

We need Health Care Reform, but we can certainly argue what that reform should be and consist of.

Health Care Reform Will Succeed This Time, Say Experts -Talk Radio News Service - Laura Woodhead
Speaking at a discussion on health care reform at the Campus Progress National Convention, the experts argued that the mood within the US makes this year ...

Video: Biden Announces White House Deal With Hospitals - The Associated Press
Health Care vs. Rationing - Washington Post
White House, hospitals reach deal on health care - The Associated Press

CQPolitics.com - Chiropractic Economics

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What direction is Health Care Reform heading and where should it head in the USA?

Today's post comes from the article in the Friday June 19, 2009 edition of the Washington Post. The paper features an article titled: "Senate's Health-Care Draft Calls for Most to Buy Insurance, Nixes Obama's 'Public Option.'" For more on the issue read the Public Interest Institutes's Brief: "A Healthcare Prescription for Iowa."

"A draft proposal in the Senate to overhaul the nation's
health-care system would require most people to buy health insurance, authorize
an expansion of Medicaid coverage and create consumer-owned cooperative plans instead of the government coverage that President Obama is seeking." - Washington Post

On Thursday June 18, 2009, the Washington Post article reported that Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.) met with four Republicans, including Iowa's Sen. Charles Grassley, the ranking GOP member on the panel, along with two Democratic colleagues in an attempt to find bipartisan consensus. Baucus dubbed the group "the coalition of the willing."

The Economist has an interesting article dated April 23, 2008 titled "Health Care Around the World: Switzerland." Google's highlight of the Apr 23, 2008 article ...

"Still of all the countries with universal health care, Switzerland's is the
most market-oriented and merits discussion. Switzerland's health" ... - Google

Movement towards the President's government health care system has raised concerns with many that it could have an impact on innovation. Today, the United States ranks number one as The Economist article dated June 8, 2009 titled "Top Countries for Biotechnology Innovation" points out.

Overall the Top 5 Countries for Biotechnology Innovation (source: The Economist):

1. U.S.
2. Singapore
3. Denmark
4. Israel
5. Sweden
   

You can see the full list of rankings here. More discussion on these rankings can be found here.

The health care debate in Washington D.C. is extremely important. We need to keep health care costs at the consumer level. As was mentioned in one of the articles, "When patients are paying for health care costs directly, they are more sensitive to what those cost are."

We need to empower the public. Why are consumers restricted to purchase health insurance beyond their state? Congress prohibits basically interstate commerce when it comes to health care insurance. Wouldn't increasing competition have a positive results on controlling premium costs and care?

Like with housing and food subsidies, we do need to help those disadvantaged in our society. We do need to make sure the consumer has some responsibility and stake in the system. We need to encourage prudence in our society. When it comes to discussing health care and other public policy issues... remember, Character Counts!

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Should health care coverage be tied to employment?

Is it time for a change?
Breaking the Tie That Binds Health Care and Employment

The current tax exemption for employer provided health care was developed
shortly after World War II when wage and price controls were in effect. The
controls are gone, but the exemption remains.

A missing link in our society is personal responsibility. However, shouldn't health care be in the hands of individuals, rather than government?

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How do Mr. McCain and Mr. Obama differ on healthcare?

A look at the health care policies of Mr. McCain and Mr. Obama.

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