Best medical system

I am a family practitioner of 42 years in Siloam Springs. When asked, “What is the best medical system,” my answer is always, “Medicare for all.” Unquestionably.

However, our current Medicare system is unsustainable. Two policies can make it not only sustainable, but encourage substantial savings.

First, the system must be proactive and universal, based on emphasizing wellness and aggressive chronic-care management. The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation is currently pursuing this idea. The Commonwealth Fund, a medical think tank, estimates that $2 trillion can be saved over a 10-year period by putting such a system in place. Two trillion! Good chronic-care management as an outpatient can save billions of dollars spent on hospitalization and emergency room visits, while providing better care for the patient.

I would suggest two free wellness visits a year and generous wellness benefits.

Then, co-payments in all other medical transactions would be mandatory. Co-payments should be enough to encourage the patient to think about the worth, but not at a level that discourages the visit. The patient is then encouraged to ask the doctor, “What will this cost me,” now involving both the patient and the doctor in the economics of what they do. This is the most effective and simple fail-safe for prevention of frivolous visits, unnecessary treatments and expensive medications.

I am so encouraged that Medicarefor-all is now part of our national dialogue. It is the only sensible answer. I am proud of our U.S. senators bringing this to the forefront.

GEORGE BENJAMIN Siloam Springs