All of this talk over the past few months about the American health care system has gotten me thinking. Obviously there is no simple solution, and certainly not one that will make everyone happy, but upon looking at my own situation, I think that it would work quite well for the majority of Americans.
As a veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom, I am entitled to 100% medical coverage from the VA. I can go to any VA clinic or hospital for free, and if they cannot accommodate any treatment or condition, the simply refer me to a private provider that can. I also pay for private health insurance from my employer. The VA has my private insurance on file and charges them what is essentially a co-pay.
Sure, I could easily just let the VA take care of everything, but having additional, private insurance gives me the freedom to see a doctor of my own choosing outside of the VA network, as well as fill prescriptions at non-VA pharmacies. I don't opt for the top-of-the-line private plan, but I do choose the one that best suites me just as I would if I did not have my government benefits. Now, I may be a bit overoptimistic here, but I like to think that most people would feel the same.
In addition, a public health care system will never get the necessary support if the plan is to penalize people for not taking advantage of private options. Rather, we should be focusing on ways to encourage people to take advantage of these options and emphasise the benefits such as greater freedom when choosing a health care provider and quicker, more convenient access to care.
That's my two cents anyway. I figured everyone else was throwing theirs in, so I might as well too. Technorati Tags: health care medical government doctor insurance
Photo courtesy of wotthe7734As a veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom, I am entitled to 100% medical coverage from the VA. I can go to any VA clinic or hospital for free, and if they cannot accommodate any treatment or condition, the simply refer me to a private provider that can. I also pay for private health insurance from my employer. The VA has my private insurance on file and charges them what is essentially a co-pay.
Sure, I could easily just let the VA take care of everything, but having additional, private insurance gives me the freedom to see a doctor of my own choosing outside of the VA network, as well as fill prescriptions at non-VA pharmacies. I don't opt for the top-of-the-line private plan, but I do choose the one that best suites me just as I would if I did not have my government benefits. Now, I may be a bit overoptimistic here, but I like to think that most people would feel the same.
In addition, a public health care system will never get the necessary support if the plan is to penalize people for not taking advantage of private options. Rather, we should be focusing on ways to encourage people to take advantage of these options and emphasise the benefits such as greater freedom when choosing a health care provider and quicker, more convenient access to care.
That's my two cents anyway. I figured everyone else was throwing theirs in, so I might as well too. Technorati Tags: health care medical government doctor insurance
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Well thank you.
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