I'd like to ask a very naive question.
Would it be possible to take matters into our own hands, so to speak, and create our own private "Public Option" health care company?
Fresh off of reading Wendell Potter's "Deadly Spin" I am both dismayed by what they book had to reveal but also encouraged by the spirit with which Wendell decided to chart a new course in his life. There are many Americans, like myself, who think similarly and I believe we make up the majority with ease. I attended the Colbert/Stewart rally on Oct. 30th and it was so reassuring to see so many like minded Americans jamming into the mall. I didn't hear a word of the event because we absolutely could not get close enough to a screen or a speaker even though we showed up two hours early after braving the subways. That was absolutely great. These are the same people that made each stop of Obama's 2008 campaign an absolute sold out ticket. We are still out there in droves.
But the question that has been kicking around in my mind is "Why can't we start the private 'public option'"? I am tired of waiting around for our politicians to get it into gear. Our senate is a decidedly right leaning body that does not represent America proportionately but still must be navigated for anything to become law. Yet we put all our hopes and expectations on politicians that clearly are not willing to hold to "abstract ideals" when faced with the prospect of sailing into unknown waters. Will the next batch be any better? Do we need to wait another 15/20 years for conditions to be favorable again?
Right now we have doctors and nurses that dedicate their own time to run the RAM health care clinics and others in the U.S. We have politicians and huge potential financiers who could help with what they do best. We also have healthy people who would be willing to join to balance and help cover the costs of those more in need. Couldn't we make everything transparent, have reasonable salaries for our execs with limited budgets for advertising, set an MLR rate of 95% or whatever is manageable, and come up with something that would be a better more inexpensive, care-centered alternative to what is available now? It may not end up being as cheap as the proposed Public Option last year but couldn't it suffice until the politicians do better?
I have no understanding of what it takes to start and effectively operate a health care company in the U.S. and I am sure the obstacles are several and probably daunting. Furthermore the current industry would be sure to fight such an organization with everything they have and there is no reason to think it would be easy. But wouldn't it be better to lose that battle than not wage it? Even in defeat a strong message would be sent that we are not satisfied with the private companies and the new laws. I just hope to inspire a discussion about the idea and see if it's feasible or not. At the least, and I mean this sincerely, I look forward to being educated as to why this is not possible.
It's time to take care of our own. This goes beyond any faith. This is about doing right for one another. It just seems like there is such a sea of support and now that the political route has proven some moderate results at best despite such favorable conditions and bold talk at the start, now would be a good time to consider other avenues.
Comments please.