Health Care in the U.S. and the 'S' word

The stated purpose of this blog is to explore what works and what needs to be "fixed" in our country.  In that light, I want to to take a broad look at health care in the U.S. and place the filter of Socialism (the 'S' word) on the lens of that light.

I have thought about this for many years, many.  My first thought is always 'in a country that is as filthy rich as ours, there is absolutely no reason why anyone should not be able to obtain health care, regardless of their ability to pay.'  I also remind myself that one of the goals of the Constitution is  to "promote for the general Welfare".   With this as a starting point, the question then becomes, how can we accomplish this goal?

The way to NOT accomplish the goal has been proven to be involving health insurance companies. The common mantra of private enterprise is that it will conduct business in the most efficient ways in order to remain in business and maximize profit.  I propose that the insurance industry certainly does anything it can to maximize profit, and thereby looks after insurance executives' and share holders' financial health.  This is counter to caring for people as far as physical health is concerned.  There is a clear conflict of interest.  Believe me when I tell you that the Constitutional directive to "promote [ ] the general Welfare" is being accomplished for the executives and share holders in a financial way.  Believe me when I also tell you that for many in our country, their "Welfare" is not being attended to with reference to health care.  So, what conclusion can I reach from this portion of the conversation........private health insurance companies do not & will not help us, as a country, to reach the goal of making sure that every person has access to health care.

Now, a possible solution.  It is a three part solution with the starting premise that our country is FILTHY RICH, FILTHY!!!!

 

- For all individuals that report income of less than a certain defined amount (X) on there annual tax return, a health insurance card is automatically produced and sent to that individual & all members of the family and dependents listed in the return, They receive the same health care benefits that health insurance companies provide, but the payment will come from the Federal Government.




- for individuals that work for a company that generates less than a certain defined (Y) amount of revenue on their annual tax return (not profit), a health insurance card is automatically produced and sent to that individual & all members of the family and dependents listed in the return. The determination occurs because the employer i.d. number is listed on the the individual's tax return. This number is cross referenced to a data base which will check it against the employers tax return. As with the first solution, above, the individual & all members of the family and dependents listed in the return, receive the same health care benefits that health insurance companies provide, but the payment will come from the Federal Government.




- for individuals who make over the X amount and who work for companies that report higher than Y revenues, the company will be required to provide health insurance and the individual employee will be required to pay their portion of the health insurance. This will be done with a private sector health insurer of the company's choosing.




If you read this carefully, you will see that every person in America has just received health insurance. The last question is why would anyone find this disagreeable? Republicans will scream "SOCIALISM" (the 'S' word) and their sheep will echo the word as though it was like saying the 'F' word or the 'P' word or the 'C' word or the 'N' word. BUT, let me go to any one of the "99%" and tell them that their Social Security was being taken away from them and watch how loud they scream bloody murder. We already practice Socialism. It is a good thing. It is "promot[ing] [ ] the public Welfare" and so will the plan, detailed above.