No. of Recommendations: 2
We need the mercenary part out of the health system.
Problem is, it is so ingrained, and the "JCs" have the money to buy the key people to keep it that way.
The rural hospitals could be the opening we need. As you said, the "JCs" want to close everything they aren't making a profit on. Then what? They close the profit making operations that make the least profit, to raise their average. That makes something else the least profitable, so they close that too. Wash, rinse, repeat, until the only hospitals left are a handful in Billionaire communities, where everyone has company paid, gold plated, coverage.
So the national health plan picks up everything the "JCs" abandon. Start with the rural hospitals and clinics. The hard thing is getting the tax approved, with a phased in approach to taking over the markets the "JCs" don't want, because relatively few will benefit, initially. People have gotten it into their heads that everything the government does is supposed to be free.
The really hard part will be making the insurance companies not want to cover Proles. Maybe cap ACA premiums at what the same coverage would cost from Medicare. BUT, offer the option of buying into Medicare. The the "JCs" don't want any part of covering Proles, so the Proles all flock to Medicare.
Or, give employers the option of buying medical for their employees from Medicare. If Medicare is lower cost, the "JCs" own greed will make Medicare their choice, no matter how many rounds of golf they play with the insurance company salesman.
There's a thought: merge VA Medical and Medicare, because the VA has hospital management experience. Take over the abandoned rural hospitals, and leverage the VA's expertise to run them. I have heard "experts" complain about the VA medical system, but the net sifter says VA medical is more cost efficient, while providing equal or better quality care. Who to believe?
Steve
