Medicare for all isn’t the solution
In today’s world of thousands of information sources and the ability to self-select one’s own news, there’s an abundance of criticism with few solutions. Our health care system is not immune from such attacks. The most troubling attack is the call of Sen. Bernie Sanders and others for a “Medicare for all” system.
This is an attack on our current health care delivery system, and not a viable solution. “Medicare for all” would not only be incredibly expensive, but also stifle innovation and the advancement of health care for most Americans.
In the existing system we can certainly do things better, but the reality is this: America’s health care system has led to incredible breakthroughs and a level of care that is the envy of the world. Yes, we have access issues. But instead of creating an entirely new framework, we must focus on solutions which lower costs and improve services for everyone.
Good solutions require more than catchy soundbites like “Medicare for all.” We must get aggressive in addressing the costs of chronic diseases. We must stem the rising prices of prescription drugs, and we must do a better job educating the public on preventative measures and healthier lifestyles. Hard work in these areas can reduce the cost of health care and make it more accessible. We must get government out of the way and allow innovation and research to flourish. Creating a static bureaucratic system without incentives is the
exact opposite of what needs to be done.
Greater government involvement in health care is not the answer. Look at the number of doctors refusing Medicare patients (by some estimates, 28 percent do not take new Medicare patients), which would only expand as the program expands. This does not increase access and would worsen the current situation.
“Medicare for all” forces American health care to the lowest common denominator. Don’t be fooled, the wealthiest will still seek out and be able to afford the best medical service available. “Medicare for all” is simply far too expensive to deliver at the current level of service and will necessitate a downgrade that will further perpetuate different levels of health care for Americans.
It won’t just be the wealthiest paying for health care, it will be everyone and that won’t even be enough. A study out of George Mason University shows”Medicare for all” would cost $32.6
trillion over 10 years. This study also shows that doubling all federal individual and corporate income taxes would not fully cover these additional costs.
As a doctor in the U.S. Air Force, I saw health care up close around the world. Yes, we can learn from other places, but our country remains the pride of the world. We have the greatest innovation, more significant breakthroughs and greatest promise for the future. We should not abandon a system that continues to make incredible advancements every year.