I really am not starting this thread to debate the Health Care Bill currently in the works, or whether or not the government should be involved. They already or, to one extent or another, but I had a different goal in mind for this thread.

What do y'all, personally, think needs to be changed about the US current health care system?

I would like to take a lot of input from here, then I will devise a very concise poll with multiple questions and sections to get an idea of where we stand, at what percentages.

I am not really talking politics here, but more from a personal level. What do you think we can do better to improve the health care situation in the US?

Health insurance? Pre-existing conditions? More regulation, or less?
Expand public options, or get rid of them? Medicaid optional or not?
Plans for kids? Better prescription plans? Get rid of DEA, reform, or tighten up?
Make more medications over the counter? Changes in the scheduling for controlled meds?
Pharmacists have more authority, or less?




One think I think would be a good idea would be to change the way pharmacies work. I think they should be more like ones in other countries, and some of the compounding pharmacies I have been in here, or military, Native American, or university dispensaries. Just the actual pharmacy. I know that would be less convenient, that we enjoy shopping while we wait, but I think it has some serious advantages. I feel if they were not "for profit" stores it would be to our benefit..

Go for it. The other thread is on its way out. The left seems to have lost. the people have spoken.
You are describing a wide array of items that is not unifrom thoughout the country.

I feel if they were not "for profit" stores it would be to our benefit..

OK. Let's explore that. Do people volunteer? It really isn't a "store" is it? How is it financed? Where does the money come from? Donations? How can it charge low prices? Will it be able to sell 400 generic drugs like walmart and Target for $4? If the prices are higher, who does it help? Can it save people millions like Walmart has? Just obvious questions for the real world. Ever hear of communes? There are very few left. I wonder why.

I was actually born in a commune, so yes, I have heard of them.

I am not trying to talk politics here, just what people think needs to be changed in our health care system. Things like the way HMO's are run, or the way some specialists require a referral from a primary.

One of the hospitals in the next county has a practice that causes many, many people even with insurance to have judgments against them. After 45 days of non-payment they turn over your account to a local collection agency, even if you have paid your 20% or whatever, and they are waiting on the rest from your insurance. If you or your insurance pay the hospital after it has been turned over, you have a credit, and still owe the collection agency.

As far as the pharmacies, and what I was speaking of above, I was thinking either run the way some states run their liquor stores, or perhaps limiting their sales to medications and medical supplies alone. This second idea would really help small Mom&Pop pharmacies.

I was just throwing out an idea, and asking others for things they feel could be changed, or ideas on how to make things work better. I am unsure why you felt the need to ridicule my post, I cannot see a motive for you to choose to stifle a conversation before it starts.

If I were Queen of the world, all health care providers/insurers would be mostly non-profit. I'm not against people making a buck, but it is obscene how much profit insurance companies. drug companies and medical supply companies earn.

I would like to see everyone have equal access to health care. I would like for premiums to be less (It costs for my husband & I $1000 a month to be on our state's "high risk" medical insurance). When my husband & I moved to Oregon, we were on an individual plan where we had been living so none of the insurance providers here had to take us. Most of the insurance providers in this state consider you high risk if you've had a prescription in the past five years.

I think one of the very helpful things would be making medical education cheaper (well all education!). There seems to be a lack of Doctors in my area. I wonder if it's because no one can afford medical school. Also, I wonder if medical malpractice insurance discourages careers in medicine. Just some thoughts.

The drug companies need to be priced controlled by the government. It's insane that the same medication cost $5 in Mexico but $35 here (same manufacturer)

As far as the medical system itself goes.......reform it a tad, but leave it the way it is for the most part. As flawed as it is it is still the best in the world. Don't socialize it - it won't work.

And for Christ's sake - GET THE DAMN DEA OUT OF THE LOOP!!!!! Pain medications are made for a reason - let the doctors prescribe them without fear of the guys in the black suits with guns paying them a visit.

Very well said.