by Dennis Aubuchon

Created on: May 25, 2009   Last Updated: May 28, 2009

There is much discussion lately about the need for a national health care system and the cost it would bring to the operations of the federal government. There is definitely a need today, even more than before, to address the uninsured or under-insured individuals in this country. To some extent we already have a national health care system. It is called Medicare and Medicaid. In addition to these are the various health insurance companies with their requirements for authorization and payment of various medical necessities. These companies for the most part are available throughout the United States. Granted sometimes there are questions raised when some procedures are not accepted for payment. This can be caused to some extent in the way the procedures and the reason for their use are documented. The cost of health care in this country continues to grow and force individuals to make choices between the medicine they need and food. This should not take place in a country such as ours with the resources we have at our disposal.

Today many individuals are without health insurance for various reasons. Some have lost their jobs and with it went their health insurance. Others have lost their benefits as companies can no longer provide this benefit resulting from the increased cost to their business. This I understand and that is why changes in the health care system are necessary. It does not imply that any kind of national health care system be created but only changes to the present system.

Changes proposed in the health care environment must address the rising cost that every individual faces whether it is through personal insurance or their work. This does not imply that I am proposing any type of price controls or caps as to what medicine will cost or what doctors and hospitals may charge. To begin with the cost to develop new medicines is costly to those that do the research to address illnesses which now face our country and will face in the future. These organizations deserve to make a profit but it should be a reasonable one. Another aspect is the potential risk of lawsuits. This is part of the rising health care cost. It involves not only the drug companies but also doctors and hospitals. To offset these potential costs insurance is purchased to accommodate address any potential losses resulting from lawsuits. Lawsuits are always going to be a part of conducting business especially in the health care industry. This cost is passed on to the patients who

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