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Britain and Canada are the bad examples some use. Taiwan, Japan, Germany, Switzerland, and France all have figured out very different plans. The core element is that everyone is insured. The hard fact is that costs won't be contained until health insurance for basic care is made non-profit. All the countries I mentioned above came to that conclusion and then developed a plan that suits their population.<br> <br> Beyond that--beyond treating health care as a basic need that the world's greatest country should be able to guarantee to its population--there will be plenty of room for the entrepreneurial spirit. Plenty of room for innovation. The current innovation is in actuarial science and finance. The whole point of health insurance when run for profit is for these people to determine how to exclude those people from coverage who are not profitable. This is the issue. These are the least of us. These are the ones who need coverage. These are our family, friends, and neighbors.<br> <br> Once everyone is covered, then emergency rooms will become places for emergencies again. An emergency room is not the place for primary care. It is not efficient or cost-effective in treating the coughs and runny noses. ER's are intended for emergencies. ER physicians train to treat emergencies.<br> <br> As taxpayers, we'll foot the bill one way or the other-whether someone comes to have their cold treated at the ER because they have no health insurance and no alternative or if they come to my office with coverage. My bill will be less, though.<br> <br> Google 'frontline sick around the world' for more background...
By Mark MD
