Should Our Health Care System be run by the Government or Private Industry?

It’s no secret that our health care system is failing. Ever increasing costs and a growing number of uninsured or under insured make it clear. The issue of reforming our nation’s health care system will dominate much of the policy debate in 2009 and beyond. This system, which accounts for 16 percent of our economy, produces hundreds of life-saving marvels every day, yet fails to provide affordable health care for all Americans (mathmatica.com).

While consuming more resources per capita than any other health care system in the world, our system yields outcomes that are often worse than those of other countries and well below our own expectations and what seems possible. These tensions have led to broad-based public interest in finding ways to improve the quality, efficiency, affordability, equity, and financing of health care. We have been hearing a lot about the Obama administration’s goal to reform health care in order to provide affordable universal coverage. There are many issues:

• Making coverage available to all
• Affordability
• Uniformity of care
• Rationing of care
• Availability of physicians
• Who should administer health care; the government or private industry
• Integrating technology to reduce costs

How it is achieved is the topic of many debates. One issue is central to almost all the debates—should the government take over the administration of health care or should we leave it in the hands of private industry.

Those on the pro-government side cite that health care has become increasingly unaffordable for businesses and individuals. We can eliminate wasteful inefficiencies such as duplicate paper work, claim approval, insurance submission, etc.

That free medical services would encourage patients to practice preventive medicine and inquire about problems early when treatment will be light; currently, patients often avoid physicals and other preventive measures because of the costs. We can develop a centralized national database which makes diagnosis and treatment easier for doctors.

Opponents to this approach point out that there isn't a single government agency or division that runs efficiently; do we really want an organization that developed the U.S. Tax Code handling something as complex as health care? "Free" health care isn't really free since we must pay for it with taxes and this may lead to reductions in funding for important areas such as education or defense. In addition, healthy people who take care of themselves will have to pay for the burden of those who smoke, are obese, etc. Changing to a government run system will result in a long, painful transition taking place. It will involve lost insurance industry jobs, business closures, and new patient record creation. The loss of private practice options and possible reduced pay may dissuade many would-be doctors from pursuing the profession.

The Meadowlands Regional Chamber has always advocated for the small employer both in Trenton and Nationally. We want to know what you think. Here is your chance to make your voice heard.