Health Care Reform-What They Should Have Done

Well, they went and did it-passed "Health Care Reform." This new law will increase costs and does absolutely nothing to improve health. What should have been done? Here is my proposal:

Using basic economic principles (supply and demand)and understanding that health insurance was never intended to pay for routine care; the following makes sense.

Every person in the U.S. is issued a Health Savings Card (HSC) with a $5000 value. People would contribute pre-tax dollars into their accounts. Lower income people would get govt. grants to fill their accounts (in lieu of tax credits)based on a sliding scale on ability to contribute. This money would be used for routine care and can be used for any health related expense. Any money not used by the end of the year would be transferred to a retirement savings account (interest bearing).

Health insurance would only be for catastrophic illness/injury and would have a $5000 deductible (covered by your HSC). Once you have used up your HSC, the insurance would kick in.

This simple plan reduces costs in several ways. People have control of their health care spending and an incentive to spend wisely. Since they are basically paying with cash, administrative costs for providers will go down. Getting paid at the time of service versus submitting a claim and hoping it gets paid is a no-brainer for doctors. They can lower their costs to the consumer.

By allowing all licensed health care providers to be paid by the HSC, you now have increased the number of providers (increased supply) which also increases competition for your health care dollars. More competition means lower cost.

Other side benefits of this plan include; supplementing retirement (Social Security), reduced health care student loan defaults, and better health education. Since people will have control over their own spending, they will become more educated on staying healthy (prevention) and not waste their own dollars on unnecessary or ineffective treatments.

If you have questions or want more details, leave a comment below.

The "Real" Problem with Health Care Reform

In life, there are always problems that arise. To solve these problems, there are some specific steps that must be followed. Einstein is quoted (I believe it was Einstein), "You cannot solve a problem with the same level of thinking that caused the problem." Our current "Health Care" reform endeavor is trying to solve a problem. Let's look at the problem:

Not enough access to affordable health care.

The problem statement above seems to be an accurate description of what we are trying to fix. But let's take a deeper look at the above statement. There are many false premises that need to be clarified to truly define the problem. The above statement is not true.

First of all; medical care and health care are two separate entities, they are NOT the same! The above statement is based on the presumption that health care is too expensive for people to afford with out insurance. The truth is "Medical" care is too expensive. Health care is FREE! You don't need a doctor when you are healthy. They do come in handy when you are actually sick or injured, but healthy people don't need doctors, and therefore, don't need medical care.

Second of all; The Law of Supply and Demand is being ignored. We have too many people consuming medical care. If we increased the number of healthy people, this would reduce the demand for medical services and, according to the Law of Supply and Demand, the price will go down. Lower price = affordable.

Thirdly; our health as a nation is pathetic. We rank near the bottom in all health statistics and markers. Yet we spend more than any other developed country, and consume more prescription drugs. We also eat more processed food, and exercise less. So, clearly our "medical" care is not healthy.

Much like our current medical system, the proposals on the table to "Reform Health Care" are nothing more than doing something to cover up the apparent problem (symptom),create new problems (side effects) and do nothing to address the underlying cause of the problem. We are trying to solve a problem with the same level of thinking that got us into this mess!

The best solution is most often the simplest solution. To reduce health care costs, reduce the demand by keeping people healthy.

I have outlined several steps in previous posts. Please review those for more information. Please leave a comment or question.

Why Health Care Should Cost Money, and Lots

This whole "Health Care" debate has really gotten off track. As I have stated before, the current bills do absolutely nothing to improve health or reduce costs. Several proponents of the plan have an idealistic view of the problem. They expect "Free" health care courtesy of the government. From personal and professional observation, Free health care would be the worst thing to happen to this great nation.

Allow me to illustrate the folly of Free health care with at little story:

Two kids in the neighborhood want new bikes. The first kid tells his parents, "I want a new bike." and the parents give him the brand new bike. The second kid knows better than to ask his struggling parents to give him a new bike, so all summer he mows lawns and does several odd jobs. He saves his money, doesn't go to the movies with his buddies or buy candy at the store. Finally, he has enough to purchase the bike himself.

Ask yourself this question, who's bike will be in better condition in a year?

You know the answer, most grade school kids know the answer. The kid who worked hard and sacrificed will take very good care of his bike, because it has value. The first kid won't care if he leaves it outside in the rain, or bangs it up. He doesn't care because it didn't cost him anything, it has no value. If it breaks, his parents will probably get him a new one.

It is pure human nature. If something has value it is taken care of and cherished. If it has no value,it is disposable. Free health care has No Value!

I have seen this first hand in my practice. People who do not pay for their care are less healthy. There is no incentive to get healthy because someone else is going to pay for all the care they need. My patients who do not have insurance, or have very high deductibles and/or co-pays are much healthier. They value their health. They protect and maintain it like a valuable asset.

Even assets of great value, when given away for free, have no value to the recipient. Just look at free housing in inner city "Projects" or the free government housing given to the Native Americans for example. Run down and unkempt because the "owner" did not value it.

The best way to bring down health care costs is to improve the health of the nation. To do that, health has to have value. It has to be important enough to actively be taken care of. Routine tests and screenings should cost money. If you think you can't afford them, then you need to decide what is of more value. Maybe you have to cut back on other expenses, especially unhealthy ones. Smoking, alcohol, processed foods, etc... and put the money spent on unhealthy items into your health savings account to pay for better health.

Insurance was never supposed to cover routine maintenance. It is supposed to protect your assets in case of catastrophe/major illness. This is why I have always supported high deductible catastrophic insurance coupled with a health savings account. When you see where your health care dollars (and how much) are spent, you begin to live a healthier lifestyle.

Please leave a comment or question. Thanks for reading!

Life Energy

One question I routinely get when I tell a new acquaintance I am a chiropractor is, "How does 'Cracking' someones back or neck treat their disease?"

First of all, I do not use the "C" word, it is an adjustment. Then I go on to explain how spinal misalignments can affect the flow of energy through the nerves. This is where I usually get the "Deer-in-the-Headlights" look.

Most people think of chiropractors as just someone who can fix bad backs, which we are the best at by the way. However, I think of myself as more of an electrician for the body than a "Bad Back Fixer."

You see, all healing arts, except western medicine, are based on proper flow of energy through the body for optimal health. Too much or too little energy flow is the cause of disease. For example, too much energy to the stomach--you get acid reflux and ulcers. Too little and you get indigestion, constipation or diarrhea.

The Chineese call this energy Chi, in religion it is the soul, and in chiropractic it is Innate Intellegence. The only difference between life and death is the flow of energy. A dead body is physically and chemically identical to a live one! The differece is energy.

In the human body, this energy is concentrated and travels through the nerves. The brain knows all and instructs each and every cell in your body what to do and when. If the communication between the brain and the cells is interferred with, the cells do not do what they are supposed to do--disease.

Since only 10% of nerve communicate pain, most of the time these conditions occur with out any notice whatsoever.

According to Quantum Physics, we are nothing but energy packets anyway, so correcting energy flow issues will promote optimal health.

So, as the "electrician", I look for improper flow of nerve energy and remove the cause (spinal misalignment). The body can then begin to work as it is intended-health.

In essence, the chiropractic adjustment improves energy flow, thus makes you more alive. And I can't imagine any better way to spend my life, then helping others be more alive!

I would really love to answer any questions or comments on this one. Please leave a comment, even if only to say Hi!

Appleton Noon Optimists

I want to send a special Thank You to the Appleton Noon Optimists for allowing me to give a brief talk on health and chiropractic. The lunch was very good (hope I didn't ruin it with the talk) and the audience reception was fantastic.

If you have a group/organization that is looking for a guest speaker, just let me know. I really enjoy doing small group presentations on various topics including: Golf, Sports Injuries/Training, Soccer, Football, Chiropractic, Health, Health Care Issues, Prescription Medication, Nutrition, Dealing With Chronic Pain and many other topics.