How often have you heard about "Meals on Wheels" for handicapped seniors? Last week I had the honor of being asked to speak at the local annual fund raising event that was planned by the city staff and the volunteer committee. I was astounded to learn all of the benefits the progam provides for seniors: Meals delivered to homes, Senior Centers strategically located over the city that have a wide variety of programs to enhance the well being of our senior citizens.
I talked about the Healthcare crisis in the country and what could be done to reform our deplorable system. It is the most costly in the world, produces the poorest quality of care and poorest outcomes, and still leaves 47,000,000 residents in this country without insurance coverage.
Presidential candidates and lawmakers all have a plan to reform our healthcare system but those candidates and lawmakers wha have accepted large campaign fund contributions from the Health Insurance Industry, the Pharmaceutical Industry, and the various Medical and Hospital Associatons are unlikely to come across with a reform plan that will correct the problem. Healthcare reform is impossible unless reimbursement to providers is limited to only medically necessary services. Most of the above associations and industries want more, not fewer, services covered regardless of medical necessity. Their solution - it doesn't matter how much or how costly, just raise the premium, deductible, and co-pay.
I was pleasantly surprised to hear the feedback from those attending and to see the interest in reforming and financing healthcare. Next year, it will be interesting to see where healthcare is placed on the parties platforms.
Monday, November 22, 2010 at 08:23PM 
