Ron Paul Unplugged: Get Government Out of Health Care

ABC News ^ | 12/13/07 | JOHN STOSSEL

[darkwing104]

I am not saying anything about right or wrong. I would like to know how is he going to do this...He needs the help of Congress. (That sticky little issue). He sure in hell can't do it by fiat...

[traviskicks]

Does he want to get government out of the business of licensing physicians, and requiring medical schools to be accredited? That is really where the biggest bottleneck is. Not enough physicians because of the licensure and accredidation retrictions.

yes, I believe he does. Just as Albert Shanker said: "When school children start paying union dues, that's when I'll start representing the interests of school children." so too the doctor organizations and lobbyists will advocate for patients as soon as those patients start paying dues (which they can't). Paul has often talked about the 'Medical industrial complex', and has the support of many in the alternative medical community as he has spoken out against the intense liscencing wars fought by the various professional medical groups to attempt to keep this or that monopoly and keep the others out, plus he has railed against the FDA. I think you're right it is probably very difficult to start new medical schools, especially allopathic (MD); osteopathic schools (DO) are a bit easier and have been expanding rapidly, perhaps because many of them are privately funded and run, but I think there is still a great deal of government oversight and meddling. Also, not mentioned is the subspeciality organizations within the doctor organizations whom may attempt to restrict their numbers and shrink the number of residencies available, raising healthcare costs. If you're interested in more on this, especially the public vs private state funding of medical schools you can check this out.

[PGR88]

At least Paul has the BALLS to say what he has said. The Dems just have different plans to socialize medicine quickly or slowly, while the Republicans will only tinker with our present system. You may view Paul as an outlier, which he probably is, but some of his ideas, if they get some traction and are found spark some popularity, I guarantee will become standard conversative running-planks in 4 or 8 years.

[PGR88]

At least Paul has the BALLS to say what he has said. The Dems just have different plans to socialize medicine quickly or slowly, while the Republicans will only tinker with our present system. You may view Paul as an outlier, which he probably is, but some of his ideas, if they get some traction and are found spark some popularity, I guarantee will become standard conversative running-planks in 4 or 8 years.

[live+let_live]

“I don’t understand how conservatives can read this, understand his message, and still post such vile things about him. Dr. Paul IS conservatism.”

There are not many conservatives left in the Republican Party.

[Badeye]

See ‘On the Paper Trail with Ron Paul’ for a perfect example of what happens when you ask simple questions, let alone ‘plans’....(chuckle)

[Wallace T.]

This country has had far too much of “plans” from both liberals and pseudo-conservatives. I never thought I would say this, but on the health care issue, Giuliani, the arch-RINO, is better than either Romney or Huckabee, who seem wedded to big government solutions in this area with some nods to large medical related businesses. The best solution would be to devolve Medicare and Medicaid with all deliberate speed, and offer a lump sum suitable to their clients to buy medical insurance. The only Federal responsibility in the long term should be to our military veterans.

[darkwing104]

At least Paul has the BALLS

No argument, but right now, we are seeing political suicide in action. It may damage the Republicans in the long run.

I guarantee will become standard Conservative running-planks in 4 or 8 years.

With the increase of Baby Bloomers are getting on the Medicare Bandwagon it will be akin to playing with dynamite. This is one beast you have to kill by small increments.

[ontap]

IMHO the biggest reason health care is as expensive as it is is twofold Free health care to Illegal aliens and trial lawyers.

[Rick.Donaldson]

First legit thing I’ve heard him say in some time now.

[T.Smith]

I disagree. What is unconservative about wanting to reduce government and return power to the states? I thought that was the core of the conservative movement? It used to be what Republicans stood for. The single biggest problem most Freepers seem to have with Dr. Paul is his foreign policy. I understand where Freepers are coming from on this, although I disagree, but I don’t understand why they have to be so hateful about it.

Principled disagreement is one thing, but the pure hatred is just irrational and not at all constructive.

[rom]

While there haven’t been any plans proposed by Ron Paul, it is refreshing to see these *ideas* advocated on the MSM without derision (I think we can thank Stossel for that)

My problem with Ron Paul is that I agree with him totally on about 85% of what he says, but I disagree with him SO MUCH on the other 15% that I just cannot vote for him.

[Carpe Cerevisi]

You’re right about that. Ron Paul threads and Catholic threads seem to unleash nearly the same amount of vitriol.

[darkwing104]

The only Federal responsibility in the long term should be to our military veterans.

Under the current law retired military personnel are placed on Medicare rosters once they turn retirement age.

[traviskicks]

WHAT is a Paul Administration going to do on this issue? What is his program to actually DO anything about this mess? This article is just another bunch of slogans and demagoguery. There is NO program to actually DO anything presented by Paul. What is Paul’s plan of action? What is his program to actually DO anything about this mess?

? I think this interview plus the Kaiser interiew in post 1 give a lot of specifics and a lot of details. If you'd like more, here is a recent bill Paul introduced. The 'specifics' are bolded for your benefit... :)

Introducing the Comprehensive Health Care Act, by US Rep. Ron Paul

Madame Speaker, America faces a crisis in health care. Health care costs continue to rise, leaving many Americans unable to afford health insurance, while those with health care coverage, and their physicians, struggle under the control of managed-care "gatekeepers." Obviously, fundamental health care reform should be one of Congress' top priorities.

Unfortunately, most health care "reform" proposals either make marginal changes or exacerbate the problem. This is because they fail to address the root of the problem with health care, which is that government polices encourage excessive reliance on third-party payers. The excessive reliance on third-party payers removes all incentive from individual patients to concern themselves with health care costs. Laws and policies promoting Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs) resulted from a desperate attempt to control spiraling costs. However, instead of promoting an efficient health care system, HMOs further took control over health care away from the individual patient and physician.

Furthermore, the predominance of third-party payers means there is effectively no market for individual health insurance polices, thus those whose employers cannot offer them health benefits must either pay exorbitant fees for health insurance or do without health insurance. Since most health care providers cater to those with health insurance, it is very difficult for the uninsured to find health care that meets their needs at an affordable price. The result is many of the uninsured turn to government-funded health care systems, or use their local emergency room as their primary care physician. The result of this is declining health for the uninsured and increased burden on taxpayer-financed health care system.

Returning control over health care to the individual is the key to true health care reform.

The Comprehensive Health Care Reform Act puts control of health care back into the hands of the individual through tax credits, tax deductions, Health Care Savings Accounts (HSA), and Flexible Savings Accounts. By giving individuals tax incentives to purchase their own health care, the Comprehensive Health Care Act will help more Americans obtain quality health insurance and health care.

Specifically, the Comprehensive Health Care Act:

A. Provides all Americans with a tax credit for 100% of health care expenses. The tax credit is fully refundable against both income and payroll taxes.

B. Allows individuals to roll over unused amounts in cafeteria plans and Flexible Savings Accounts (FSA).

C. Makes every American eligible for an Health Savings Account (HSA), removes the requirement that individuals must obtain a high-deductible insurance policy to open an HSA; allows individuals to use their HSA to make premiums payments for high-deductible policy; and allows senior citizens to use their HSA to purchase Medigap policies.

D. Repeals the 7.5% threshold for the deduction of medical expenses, thus making all medical expenses tax deductible.

By providing a wide range of options, this bill allows individual Americans to choose the method of financing health care that best suits their individual needs. Increasing frustration with the current health care system is leading more and more Americans to embrace this approach to health care reform. For example, a poll by the respected Zogby firm showed that over 80% of Americans support providing all Americans with access to a Health Savings Account. I hope all my colleagues will join this effort to put individuals back in control of health care by cosponsoring the Comprehensive Health Care Reform Act.

[bcsco]

He sure in hell can't do it by fiat...

Careful when using that term with some PaulPots. They'll assume you're referring to a car.

[traviskicks]

First legit thing I’ve heard him say in some time now.

Perhaps you missed this. :)

[West Coast Conservative]

It’s too bad he’s a RINO moonbat when it comes to the War on Terror.

[CodeToad]

“There is NO program to actually DO anything presented by Paul.”

Still stuck on government programs, eh? The only answer is a government program spending money, right?

How about removing the government BS that is in the medical industry. How about eliminating Medicare and Medicaid, and HIPAA? How about removing insurance regualtions that cause higher insurance premiums. How about forbidding foreign medical students for awhile. NONE of these things require a “program” or spending.

[darkwing104]

They'll assume you're referring to a car.

I was waiting on that...;-)