Re: “Prescription for health reform,” Feb. 21 guest commentary by Bill Lindsay.
I am a retired medical professional with two undergraduate degrees. I must confess, however, as simply a user of the system, I did not really understand the “system” itself. This commentary inspired me to research MEDPAC and its influence on reimbursement rates for entitlement programs. It was enlightening. I also gather the Colorado Blue Ribbon Commission for Health Care Reform has decided on some basic goals, summarized below:
1. Improve efficiency via “revisions”; and
2. The savings realized are to be used for expanded enrollment.
This “revisions” process involves action words such as “Congress,” “expand,” “evaluate,” “implement,” “demonstrate,” “improve,” “contain,” “set,” “control,” “develop,” “expose,” “reward,” “exempt,” “create,” “increase,” “enforce” and, finally, “argue.” What might be the timeline to complete these actions?
Meanwhile, back on Main Street, John Q. Public, out of work and without health insurance, awakes with a life-threatening asthma attack. He must go to the emergency room or may call 911. He gets “stabilizing” treatment. And who pays his bill? Care to guess?
We do not have time to complete all those actions above before implementing reform. Now is the time. Who will realize the necessary savings while John Q. waits, and we pay?
Jeanne Schwarz lives in Larkspur.
