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Old 10-27-2008, 03:43 PM  
pocketkangaroo
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 8,452
Quote:
Originally Posted by stickyfingerz View Post
Would Tort reform not lower the overall cost for the hospitals and Doctors and nurses via reduced legal / malpractice insurance costs? Would that not go towards lowering the overall cost of medical expenses? Which in turn should help lower premiums, allowing people that previously were unable to be covered more leeway? I agree there needs to be reform on pre exisiting conditions too.
Of course it would and I said I'm all for it. But it doesn't stop the two major problems in healthcare. People who can't get insurance because of a pre-existing condition, and the insurance companies abusing their power and screwing over policyholders. I think the following should be done:

- Tort reform

- Laws that prohibit insurance companies from rejecting claims against the insurer made by accredited doctors. There could then be a state review board where insurance companies could file claims of abuse by doctors and have them reviewed by independent panels. Doctors found to abuse their power would be punished.

- Laws prohibiting prescription drug companies from offering gifts, etc to doctors for prescribing their medication.

- Government run healthcare for those who can't acquire health insurance due to pre-existing conditions. People will be required a small percent of their income (roughly what they'd pay as a healthy person) to this as a premium. Government will negotiate with drug companies and insurance companies for best price (they have a lot of bargaining power).

- Government assistance to those who can't afford to pay for insurance.

Not only does this get everyone covered, but it helps take the burden off hospitals for having to pick up the tab for uninsured patients.
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