Healthcare reform....an easy way to start.

All this recent talk about healthcare reform got me thinking...imagine that. I continually hear the arguments for and against a national healthcare offering. Those in opposition talk about the Government telling our Doctors what to do and that healthcare will be rationed. Those in favor speak to the idea that healthcare should be affordable and available to every citizen. I've worked in the VA system in the past (3 years as a Physical Therapist) and have been a user of private insurance and private healthcare. Perhaps this gives me a balanced viewpoint?

I am uncomfortable with the idea that our Government is trying to reform the entire healthcare system over the next couple of weeks and months. I feel they should start with something simple to change....something that we could all easily understand....and then show us the benefit quickly.

Here's what I propose:

The Government acquires the major lab services companies like LabCorp & Quest Diagnostics.

These are the companies our Doctors send us to and use to draw blood and conduct lab tests. They do not make decisions about our health. If you've ever been to one of these labs to have a test done you'll know from experience that they already feel like the DMV. Their services are transactional albeit important. The shareholders of these companies get their exit strategy and the Government uses a small piece of our tax dollars to run these companies. The Government does not put a cap on the number of lab tests per citizen.

Benefits to citizens:

• Doctors still make the decisions.
• Doctors can order as many tests as they feel necessary since pre-authorization from a third party insurance company won't be required.
• With the ability to order more tests Doctors will have more information and we can take a more proactive stance against disease.
  
• Volume discounts with lab supply vendors
• Lab testing location flexibility. You can go to any Government lab convenient for you.
  
• One large centralized database with tests results for all citizens.
• Insurance companies aren't paying for as many tests or for as much overhead to pre-authorize said tests and therefore our private insurance rates fall.
  

Starting off with something of this nature may help us see the benefits...and potential pitfalls...of a national healthcare plan for all Americans.