Where does health care lead us

Hi

My title is a question and I would like to try and answer the question. Most people want heallth care reform but, here's the catch, these same people want a sane and sensible reform package.

Most of the programs being tossed about in congress fail to answer the real problem, but instead focus on how to make a government take over more palatable. Guess what, a government take over is not palatable with the vast majority of Americans. The people have spoken through polls, town hall meetings and tea parties. The real problem is that the congress refuses to acknowledge these wishes. As usual liberal thinking comes up with the philosophy that "they" know better. Well they don't.

If congress were serious about health care, the first problem they should address is the high cost of the coverage of insurance in place already. Much of the cost is attributable to malpractice insurance. The malpractice insurance is high because of runaway jury awards. Congress need not take away the patients right to sue, only they should adjust the award process. Currently juries can award punitive damages. These are awards aimed at punishing the medical practitioner. The law can be changed to eliminate these excessive and unnecessary chrges. If we were to eliminate the punitive damage portion of awards then the patient would still get his/her fair compensation for any harm and the doctor would pay less insurance. This savings could be passed to the patient in the form of lower charges for medical services.

The next area of reform needed is the limitation placed on insurers which prohibits carriers from writing policies across state lines. Under the current system carriers have little or no competition because not all carriers write policies in all 50 states. If the federal government were to eliminate this cross state prohibition then carriers would open up new markets and compete with carriers in all states. Competition would drive the prices down and the patient benefits. Of course the only people who oppose this are the malpractice trial lawyers. (Just remind yourself how much money Edwards made on the tobacco settlements). Congress should put the people first, not the special interest such as trial lawyers. We can only pray that they do so.

When you pray for our brave service people add a prayer that congress will be blessed with the wisdom to do the right thing. Thank you.
GOD Bless