There has been a great deal of debate about health care reform. However, there seems to be an assumption that regardless of the details which will eventually emerge "reform" will cost many billions of dollars. I believe it is reasonable and appropriate to challenge that assumption.
During the course of the HC reform debate a couple of assertions have been made repeatedly that should be impacting the debate in our country. We have all heard the America spends twice the dollars per capita as any other developed nation. Additionally, it has been argued convincingly right here on this forum that other countries do a better, possibly even a much better job, caring for their citizens health care needs.
If these two assertions are true then the question begs to be asked: If we are ALREADY spending twice as much as other countries that do a good job providing health care why do all our "solutions" require billions or (more likely) trillions of dollars of additional spending?
We are missing a HUGE opportunity here. If it is truly possible to provide good health care to all citizens for 1/2 of what we're spending then we have the opportunity to significantly reduce the cost to individuals (which is supposed to be the objective), provide care for uninsured, and have money left over.
I have worked as a consultant to business and this situation is a dream job:
Mr Consultant; Our company provides a service and does it poorly but we do get twice as much as similar companies, some with better products, for our product. Can you help us?
Obviously I'm missing something but I am unable to identify it for myself.