Two Things to Strengthen Health Care

There are two things the government can do that would perceptibly strengthen health care in this country.

1. Stabilize Medicare: The U.S. government is the largest health insurer in the nation. When payments from the insurer covering more Americans than any other are constantly in flux it is impossible to stabilize costs in any other segment of the health care system.
2. Invest in Medical Education: There are simply not enough physicians, nurses, radiologists, lab technicians...the list goes on...to deliver timely and compassionate care to all in need. Physicians in particular have been moving to fee-based practices, where they can spend more time with fewer patients who are able to pay an annual fee. This works well for those who can afford it, but for those who can't there are now fewer doctors caring for more people.

Comments

[Tony]

There are also some things that individuals can do to ensure that they get the best and the most out of their health care.

There are 5 steps that health care consumers can do ensure they are getting their full and proper care. The steps were developed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in partnership with the American Hospital Association and the American Medical Association.

http://www.ahrq.gov/consumer/5steps.pdf