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Originally Posted by dc_dux
jorge...I've mentioned several ways....state regs to enable more risk pooling by small employers who dont provide coverage to employees, dedicated taxes (like the cigarette tax that funds the SCHIP program), and dramatically improving the efficiency of the current system (mostly through technology).
Hard workers are already paying for the free riders in the amount of of costs of providing emergency (and other) services to the uninsured (who generally refrain from the less expensive option of preventive care) that are borne by hospitals and local governments and passed on in the form of premium increases and/or taxes. You pay now or pay later.
And never forget, today's hard worker could very well be tomorrow's free rider. That change of circumstances does not make that person less "qualified" to have access to basic health care.
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Yes, I've seen the small business pooling suggested here and there. I don't see why not. I think it's a good idea regardless. I don't know why they don't do it. It's not hard. Dedicated taxes would be tricky. I think you would have a fight on your hands from the special interest groups you're taking money away from. Cigarette taxes seems like a logical source. But I would rather not count on it.
How would you propose improving the efficiency of the current system? The only thing I can think of would be a centralized data base, or specialization of facilities so not everyone is buying the same equipment.
I would like to see more of a blend. At least for now. If you go national health care, I would like to see some user incentive as well. For example, a lower co-pay for healthy people and more incentive to stay healthy like cheaper basics: yearly physicals, cholesterol screenings. Maybe even corporate incentives like gym memberships that are tax deductible. i think that's a good start compromise and could lead to other things. I don't know, something like that.