Healthcare in the USA is ~$2.5T, when it should only cost ~$1.5T. To save $1.0T, I propose the following:
1. Increase the number of MDs in this country. We are importing 20% of our MDs from developing countries who need their MDs more than we do.
2. Increase the number of residency positions from~100,000 to ~150,000. Residents are a "windfall of revenue" for a hospital. Another words, they represent dirt-cheap labor, and provide FAR MORE BENEFITS than the cost that they incur.
The AMA control both of these variables.
3. Re-Evaluate physicians pay/compensation. Medicare and/or the insurance companies should do this. When I talk to MDs, they tell me this is very important.
4. Tax sodas, junk food, cigarettes, and fast food. This is not part of the healthcare system, but more the food and drugs of USA. The soda companies have annual revenues of ~$110B/year, and the fast foods about $80B in tobacco, and $110B/year on fast foods. This is about $300B total for factors which increase our likelihood of getting diabetes type II, in which we are 3x more likely than a non-American to suffer from. If we taxed this at 5%, there would be a <= $15B in revenues, but also diminished consumption of these items.
5. The cost savings associated with Americans consuming less soda, junkfoods, and tobacco should be $100Bs/year. We spend ~$300B a year on diabetes Type II, when we should be spending about $150B, IMO. These "life-style" type of diseases are all correlated, and if you mitigate one, you mitigate the other. So let's say that this could save $500B/year.
6. Socialized healthcare. Our efficiency could increase from 87% to 97% - a 10% savings in money. This amounts to $250B right here. Have a public OPTION.
7. 5% of people consume 50% of healthcare. Also, we spend 33% on the last 6 months of a person's life. These two figures go hand-and-hand. We should do something about this. I have no idea what, but here are some ideas:
a. We should view death and dying as natural parts of life. A MDs roll is not to make you immortal, and you shouldn't expect this either. Another words, an MD should turn down services to very old and very unhealthy people.
8. Monopolistic insurance sector is anti-competitive. Have your services on an exchange and create anti-collusion laws which makes it easier to shop around. This, too, will bring down costs.
Also, there are no dollar values for this, but it's my opinion:
1. For some reason, the 4th year MD students choose residency positions which already exist *AND* that they happen to be interested in. What's very surprising to me is that the acute shortage of PCPs is not reflected on the available match spots. Fix this up.
2. Decrease AMA's roll and increase MD and residency numbers.
1. Increase the number of MDs in this country. We are importing 20% of our MDs from developing countries who need their MDs more than we do.
2. Increase the number of residency positions from~100,000 to ~150,000. Residents are a "windfall of revenue" for a hospital. Another words, they represent dirt-cheap labor, and provide FAR MORE BENEFITS than the cost that they incur.
The AMA control both of these variables.
3. Re-Evaluate physicians pay/compensation. Medicare and/or the insurance companies should do this. When I talk to MDs, they tell me this is very important.
4. Tax sodas, junk food, cigarettes, and fast food. This is not part of the healthcare system, but more the food and drugs of USA. The soda companies have annual revenues of ~$110B/year, and the fast foods about $80B in tobacco, and $110B/year on fast foods. This is about $300B total for factors which increase our likelihood of getting diabetes type II, in which we are 3x more likely than a non-American to suffer from. If we taxed this at 5%, there would be a <= $15B in revenues, but also diminished consumption of these items.
5. The cost savings associated with Americans consuming less soda, junkfoods, and tobacco should be $100Bs/year. We spend ~$300B a year on diabetes Type II, when we should be spending about $150B, IMO. These "life-style" type of diseases are all correlated, and if you mitigate one, you mitigate the other. So let's say that this could save $500B/year.
6. Socialized healthcare. Our efficiency could increase from 87% to 97% - a 10% savings in money. This amounts to $250B right here. Have a public OPTION.
7. 5% of people consume 50% of healthcare. Also, we spend 33% on the last 6 months of a person's life. These two figures go hand-and-hand. We should do something about this. I have no idea what, but here are some ideas:
a. We should view death and dying as natural parts of life. A MDs roll is not to make you immortal, and you shouldn't expect this either. Another words, an MD should turn down services to very old and very unhealthy people.
8. Monopolistic insurance sector is anti-competitive. Have your services on an exchange and create anti-collusion laws which makes it easier to shop around. This, too, will bring down costs.
Also, there are no dollar values for this, but it's my opinion:
1. For some reason, the 4th year MD students choose residency positions which already exist *AND* that they happen to be interested in. What's very surprising to me is that the acute shortage of PCPs is not reflected on the available match spots. Fix this up.
2. Decrease AMA's roll and increase MD and residency numbers.
