We need to get the government out of healthcare completely to bring down the costs. But of course we’ve got people who have paid a lifetime into Medicare and expect to get that coverage—so that should be the last to go.
There is zero reason for the federal government to be involved in healthcare at all—and it should transition out of Medicaid.
However, we’re not going to let the truly needy go uncared for—however they got there. (E.g., most most costly Medicaid costs are tied to obesity.) What we need to do is minimize the truly needy with free market reforms and incentives that make more people able to pay for it themselves.
“But of course we’ve got people who have paid a lifetime into Medicare and expect to get that coverage—so that should be the last to go.”
That is very realistic and practical.
We need a phase-out plan that offers soft landings before we shift completely to private charities and personal accountability. IMHO — the most concrete way to achieve that is via a constitutional amendment. Otherwise, they will keep tinkering with it.
BTW — before we can truly improve healthcare we need to straighten up peoples’ thinking about it.
Not merely education, but I’ve worked out a ‘mandatory debate’ plan that will force key public figures into fair time / no moderator debates with each other.
Not just healthcare but all issues.