by Michael Myron

Created on: September 16, 2009   Last Updated: September 17, 2009

President Obama has made health care reform a priority for his administration. This is reminiscent of the early days of President Clinton's administration when then the first lady Hillary Clinton was charged with looking for ways to resolve the health care issues facing America. I hope and pray we do not see a repeat of the Clinton administration's failure to act and to give into the pressure by insurance companies and health care organization whose pursuit was and remains for profit and not health care.

This is not to say there are not thousands of health care professionals who dedicate their lives to serving others. This includes the countless doctors, nurses and others who give tirelessly of their time and expertise to help those who are in need.

Before any serious discussions can begin on health care reform we have to identify and address the root cause behind the high cost and inadequate services being offered today. This can be identified simply as greed and profiteering by insurance companies, hospitals, HMO providers, doctors and the related industries and services related to health care.

Yes, I said it, greed and profiteering. The United States should be on the forefront in providing affordable health of the highest quality to all of its citizens and yet more Americans than ever are without adequate coverage or care. Why? Profit! Pure and simple!

Can health reform succeed? Absolutely but not without significant changes in the way we view and manage health care in the United States.

Where would I start if I were the president?

1. Issue a Presidential finding classifying heath care as a matter of national importance.

2. Issues orders that all doctors, nurses and health care professionals would immediately be posted to the U.S. Public Health Service who would report to the US Surgeon General.

3. Salaries for all health care professionals would be capped at $200,000 per year. No doctor or nurse however skilled has a responsibility greater than that of the President of the United States and salaries should be reflective of this fact.

4. All industries related to health care including hospitals, suppliers of health care equipment, and pharmaceutical companies, etc would be classified in a newly created corporate class identified as Health Care related- not for profit. This new classification would make organizations not only not for profit but specify that charges may not exceed the actual expenses incurred.

There will no doubt be serious repercussions should the president pursue this line of action. Specifically the outcry from those who profit from the business of health care i.e., insurance companies, hospitals, HMO providers, pharmaceutical companies, doctors, and so on. For all intent and purposes President Obama's political career will be over. Donors and supporters will disappear and give to whoever will fight against the loss of billions of dollars in annual profits. You will hear from so called experts that to make such drastic changes will put health care in jeopardy. In this the experts will mean jeopardizing billions in profits for those who are paying for their expert opinions.

Do not buy into the hype and public relations efforts by the health care industry. Until America places the health care of the citizenry above profits nothing will really change. The changes on the surface will only mask the redistribution of profits which in all likelihood will line the same pockets under any new program as they do today.

Want real health care reform? Then stand up and demand real change.

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