The fundamental issue is access to healthcare and at least 50% of healthcare costs are driven by local and state zoning and licensing rules. Hospitals get monopolies. Medical schools get slavewage interns, etc. Pharmacists cannot write scrips only fill them.
Any state could increase the competition and drive down healthcare costs by simply allow doctors from other states to practice without new exams, etc. Doctors get rated now and that’s improved service already.
What the Feds could have done was:
1. Change the tax code and it would have made healthcare portable.
2. Use its Commerce Clause power to create what America was meant to be: a free trade zone. Let people buy insurance across state lines.
There were a dozen really good changes that would have increased healthcare competition. Democratcare was nearly the worst and they would have made it even worse, but couldn’t get away with it.
Imagine just a simple change to medical device and pharmaceutical access - life saving choice. If you’re terminal you get to use whatever you want. Over time you’d see that slowly migrate out toward all kinds of chronic diseases.
How about allowing immediate access pending FDA full approval to all drugs approved in Britain, Germany, France and Japan?
The key to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness is less government.
“How about allowing immediate access pending FDA full approval to all drugs approved in Britain, Germany, France and Japan?”
Besides saving money re lower costs and more competitive new drugs, we could save a ton of money by eliminating FDA’s costly repetitive over studies that create jobs for left wing MDS in lef wing medical schools.
"Change the tax code and it would have made healthcare portable." I think we are saying the same thing, make it so either your employer has the tax benefit or you do, i.e. you buy the policy and you get to deduct it on "Line 29". Their may have to be an option time for transition or it may not work. Much like my CPA wonks tell me a Flat Tax would need to be an option on your 1040 as the system won't take the dramatic switch or make it through Congress as stand-alone code, give people the choice. You bring up some points that I was unaware of in regards to licensing and Zoning Codes. Perhaps we need new Hospitals that are Modules like Charters Schools, pre-planed pre-manufactured, then erect it. Also I like your idea of reciprocity of State Exams. It is that way with Insurance license(s) ( or was ) although you have to apply to that state, pay a fee etc, and that is so 10th amendment based it isn't funny. On the Pharmacist, that is a great idea as well, as well as immediate access and open door for those with no options to try things as they are approaching end of life. Outstanding post 1010RD....