So many comments and so few knowledgable people. Everyone wants to simply claim that the ACA was woking fine and we could have continued with it. WRONG! The soultions are complex so it is laughable to see silly comments with simple solutions.
With that said, this latest bill is NOT the solution to the underlying problem that is the American healthcare system. One of the biggest problems that is preventing the system from working properly is eliminating fraud. I've only seen a few people actually mention this, one of them Rand Paul and a few other Republicans who are serious about fixing the problem. Fraud costs all of us and the system.
I'm friends with a doctor who has his own practice. He said the biggest obstacle in providing quality care and still staying open is the malpractice insurance which costs more than his entire overhead. This again, relates to fraud and of course, malpractice lawsuits which is the next big problem. Only in America, if you spill a hot coffee on your lap, can you win $20 million. Only in America, if a doctor makes an unnecessary scar on your thigh can you sue for millions. In Korea and I believe in most of the world, there is a thing called a scheudle of payments and the awards are very small, almost too small. If a doctor accidentally amputates the wrong toe in Korea, you get something like $2000 USD. Just two thousand dollars equivalent. Now while a toe is not a life threatening thing to lose, it is something that needs to be awarded a proper amount. This is a way other health care systems in the world are able to run their programs.
Next, prescription medications. In America, there is so much unnecessary regulation regarding simple drugs and the entry to free markets. Which is why you can fly to Mexico and pick up a year's supply of Percocet for $50 and a $20 "prescription" from a "Doctor."
The entire heathcare system would need to be dismantled and rebuilt from the ground up. The question is, who is going to fix it? Who is going to invest in such an endeavor that would not see the benfits for years? No politician would take the risk.
Another thing to consider, uninformed Americans (mostly liberals) love to say, "but healthcare is FREE in other countries." Let me be clear -- NOTHING is free. The money comes from someone's pocket. In Europe, the company you work for pays 50% and you pay 50% which comes right out of your paycheck. Income taxes are very high compared to the United States. In Korea, the system is single payer but the whole system is broken, causing many people to get poor quality service if they earn little money and good quality service if you make a lot. And it gets more and more expensive each year. My point is that the grass is always greener on the other side but once you get there, is it really all that green?
I know some witness friends from Germany and they told me that many people pay extra money just to have private health insurance because you get much better care and you don't need to wait 6 months to see a doctor. And private health insurance in Germany costs MORE than in the USA. If I remember they told me $700 USD equivalent per month. Don't quote me on that but I remember it was more than what I am currently paying.
Now the reason why Obamacare (The Unaffordable Healthcare Act) was a complete disaster for most familes was because it didn't address the problems above. It simply provided a bandaid solution and spread the pain. I know people who saw their premiums go from $200 to $500 with $5000 deductibles. I know, because I'm one of them.
But it was pretty obvious when Nancy Pelosi said, "We need to pass it to see what's in it..." that is was a complete lie. Sure enough, the "if you like your doctor, you can keep your doctor...." was a complete lie, as was the, "the average American family with save $2500 per year on healthcare..." another major lie. Then again, that is what corrupt politicians do like religious leaders. Tickle the ears and make the people feel good.... sell them snake oil.
As I said, it's complicated. Who will have the guts to revamp the whole system?
