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As a highly committed physician Improving the health of our nationI have seen first-hand the challenges plaguing our healthcare system. I wrote about these matters in Make America Healthy Again in 2020.
Unfortunately, our situation is worse now than it was then. The new presidential administration has an opportunity to enact meaningful reforms that prioritize patient care, personal responsibility, and the power of American innovation.
Here are five key steps management should take Make America healthy again:
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and President-elect Trump (Getty Images)
1. Promoting free market principles in health care
America's strength lies in its free market, and this principle should continue to expand to include health care. By reducing burdensome regulations and promoting competition, we can reduce costs and improve care. Furthermore, price transparency is key to improving the quality of our private healthcare system.
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Requiring hospitals to publish the cash price for their services would allow patients to make informed comparisons about services regardless of their network status with their insurance provider. Insurance companies must allow money spent on all types of medical care, both in-network and out-of-network, to count toward your deductible. If a patient chooses a less expensive provider with a lower than average price, they should Share in the cost savings Born for the insurance company.
No patient should go bankrupt due to emergency medical procedures. What we continue to see is insurance companies playing their usual games of either pressuring patients or doctors by not covering the cost of services provided and then “surprise billing” the patient because they did not bill the recipients of emergency services. The insurance company must pay for emergency services regardless of network status. Patients should focus on saving their lives, not making sure they go to the right emergency department.
Promoting free market principles would also require that health savings accounts (HSAs) be expanded to be used for any medical services and should be allowed for anything health-related, even if it is for transportation to the doctor or running shoes.
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A free market environment encourages providers to compete on price, quality, and service, leading to improvements in health care delivery. HSAs give patients control over their health care dollars. Providers hoping to attract those dollars will have to compete on quality, price, or both.
2. Combating the epidemic of chronic diseases
Chronic diseases Such as diabetes, heart disease, and obesity are responsible for the majority of health care spending and preventable deaths in America. The administration must prioritize preventive care by incentivizing healthy choices.
Tax deductions for gym memberships, nutrition counseling, and wellness programs can encourage lifestyle changes. Reforming farm subsidies to prioritize nutrient-dense whole foods over processed, sugary products would help shift our nation toward better health outcomes. Government-funded support should be limited to healthy foods that nourish the body and mind, while local municipalities should make neighborhoods safe for outdoor physical activity.
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3. Enabling countries to innovate
Health care should reflect the diversity of our nation. Countries should have the freedom to design health care systems that meet their unique needs. States have existing relationships with hospitals, primary care doctors, insurance companies, and nonprofit organizations, which they can leverage to improve population health.
Medicaid funding transfer Blocking grants would allow states to innovate and use resources more efficiently. This approach will foster innovation and accountability while ensuring that vulnerable populations receive the care they need. States can also allow “emergency-only” health insurance plans while allowing patients to use expanded HSA funds to pay discounted cash rates for preventive and routine care.
States could also expand telehealth services to improve access to care and cap drug copayments to make essential medications more affordable.
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4. Restoring the relationship between doctor and patient
Over-regulation and bureaucracy have eroded The relationship between doctor and patientTurn personal care into an assembly line. The administration should reduce burdensome reporting requirements from Medicare and private insurers, giving doctors more time to spend with their patients.
Removing large hospital systems' stronghold on independent physician practices and collectively eliminating stringent restrictive agreements will force competition to lower costs while improving quality of care and allowing patients to choose their doctors.
Insurers have made deals with large hospital systems that standardize care to save dollars and force good doctors to be laid off. They do this by keeping reimbursement rates so low that doctors and other medical providers are forced to consolidate into siled care or stop having insurance altogether.
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5. Ensuring a safe pharmaceutical supply chain
The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed the fragility of our society Pharmaceutical supply chain. Over-reliance on foreign manufacturing has made us vulnerable to shortages of vital medicines. The administration should stimulate domestic production of essential medicines and active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) to protect public health. A strong “Buy American” policy on health care supplies is essential for national security and preparedness.
Restoring America's health requires bold action, a commitment to free market principles, and a focus on empowering people. By implementing these five strategies, the new administration can create an affordable, effective, and patient-centered health care system. It is time to prioritize health over bureaucracy and empower Americans to take charge of their well-being.
