Consumer-based Healthcare

It is my belief that health-care reform in the United States is absolutely critical, but what must be at the center of any health care reform is choice and control by the consumer. Consumer choice and a healthy price system is key to bringing down the cost and increasing the quality of health care. This system (also known as- “Capitalism” J ) is at the root of every other consumer market where we enjoy high-quality and low prices in our society today (e.g. Groceries, automobiles, consumer electronics, etc.). This is also what will allow us to afford to take care of those in our society who need help. What successful healthcare reform in the U.S. will entail is far less government intervention, not more.

With that in mind, I have collected the following set of articles, videos, and websites that I think offer interesting contributions to the healthcare debate. For links to articles on both sides of the debate, I recommend the Real Clear Politics website, which aggregates opinions on a number of issues from both sides of the aisle: http://www.realclearpolitics.com/

Resources:
The Whole Foods Alternative to ObamaCare - This is my favorite editorial so far. It is written by John Mackey, co-founder and CEO of Whole Foods. It details reforms of many obstacles to health care reform. The article can be found at: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204251404574342170072865070.html

Obama’s Senior Moment – This editorial brushes past some of the fear mongering around “death panels,” and instead discusses the reality of services-rationing that must be part of a single payer government system. And the very real affect it will have on the elderly. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203863204574344900152168372.html

Defend your Healthcare –This site is run by Betsy McCaughey, the former Lt. Governor of New York State, and closely details the health care legislation. This is the best source of information for ways the current legislation will limit your freedom (i.e consumer choice) for health care if the current legislation passes. http://defendyourhealthcare.us/

Ronald Reagan on Socialized Medicine – (WWRD? What would Reagan Do? – yes, I love the Gipper that much J ). The following audio file was recorded by RWR in 1961 to argue against Socialized medicine. It is priceless, as the arguments are entirely applicable today. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fRdLpem-AAs

Paul Ryan on the Patient’s Choice Act – In this four minute video, Representative Paul Ryan (R. from Wisconsin) introduces the Patient’s Choice act. Health care reform that puts control and ownership of decisions in the hands of individuals! Addresses issues such as: Why is health care tied to your job? Why does health care have tax exempt status for companies, but not the self employed? Why can’t you purchase health insurance across state lines? Get the Federal Government out of the way! Patients first!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S6H3aEob_mo&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Ehouse%2Egov%2Fryan%2Fhealthcare%2Findex%2Ehtm&feature=player_embedded


Newt Gingrich video – Put aside what you think about “Newt” from the 90’s – it was his job to be the tough opposition. “Mr. Newt” is one of the best thinkers on public policy out there. This five minute video is a great introduction to conservative thought on how to reform healthcare. Did you know that it’s estimated that over 10% of New York state Medicad is pure fraud – over 4.4 billion dollars a year. “Why would you raise taxes on honest people before you stop paying the crooks?” (see next item as well) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=34URI54WXlc&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Efacebook%2Ecom%2Fhome%2Ephp&feature=player_embedded

Center for Health Transformation – This is Newt Gingrich’s group that advocates for six steps to healthcare reform: 1. stop the massive fraud in the system, 2, move to electronic health system, 3. tax reform, 4. “health” based health system, 5. reform health justice, 6. invest in R&D.
http://www.healthtransformation.net/

TAKE TWO ASPIRIN AND CALL ME WHEN YOUR CANCER IS STAGE 4 - Like her or not, Ann Coulter is a brilliant analyst. This column puts the focus on the source of the health care problem – government mandates, regulations, and general meddling with the free market. Also brilliantly funny. http://www.anncoulter.com/cgi-local/article.cgi?article=322

heydits.blogspot.com - For a continuing set of links and ramblings, you can also visit my blog at http://heydits.blogspot.com/

The Gipper vs. Obamacare

There is a great link on the Drudge Report today to an audiophile of Ronald Reagan speaking out against socialized healthcare in 1961. You can listen to the audio by clicking this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fRdLpem-AAs

I'd pay good money to see the debate between President Obama & this recording!

Seniors beware

Great Op Ed today in the WSJ entitled "Obama's Senior Moment." If you're older, or you love someone who is older (which pretty much covers everyone, right?) you should give it a read. Scare tactics aside - rationing is and will be a government controlled fact of life in a single payer system.

As this article points out, resources are already rationed the right way -- with a price system! What America needs is more free markets and less government in health care.