by Carol Coleman

Created on: September 10, 2009   Last Updated: September 12, 2009

Is a Universal health care plan possible in the United States? I think that if the government works with the health care providers, that there is room for both public and private health care. This would require an unprecedented act of the U.S. government.

Subsidize the health care students with government loans where the interest and part of the principal is paid off after graduation. The pay out would be with free clinics staffed with doctors, nurses, therapists and other medical personnel who have received government loans to pay for their education.

Doctors would have the option of working in clinics provided by the government (local, state or federal); as would nurses, therapists, lab techs and any other medical personnel. The other option would be so many appointments in their own offices where needy patients would be treated.

There are many VA hospitals around the United States. The government could open them and re-outfit them for use for its citizens and veterans. Again, medical personnel at all levels would come from a pool of people paying back a loan by being available for so many days per month or year. This would give quality care to our veterans and our people.

A regular administrative support staff would be in place to guarantee continuing care and follow through. This would add jobs to the local communities and help the economy. Health care would be available to those who need it but could not otherwise afford it. This would add healthier people to the community.

Not all the loan recipients might have free days per month. They could schedule a block of time where they would be available to work off the interest of their loans. They could man traveling health caravans that would provide health care to people who live in remote or rural settings with little access to health care.

Hospitals with Government loans used for building or equipment could offer free or subsidized treatments to people who have no insurance. Those treatments could be used to pay the interest and part of the loan.

The government could specify that only the interest would be paid off by offering their medical services. The amount of the loan would be paid back in full so that the money could be re-used for the next doctor, nurse, therapist who needs help getting their education.

This sounds like a simple solution. It might be too simple for the government. This would provide health care, this would help increase the number of health care professionals and provide jobs for the populace. It could be a winning solution for everyone.

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