The Five Minute Healthcare Summit

Only America's liberal Democrats could overly dramatize an effective solution to our healthcare mess.

We don't need a big summit. We certainly don't need more federal intrusion into this sector.

Do the following, let human nature and behavior take its course, and the problems will solve themselves:

-Equalize the after-tax cost of healthcare for corporate employees and individuals. Either give the latter tax deductibility on health insurance, or strip it from the former.

-Encourage separation of healthcare from compensation, especially through individual tax deductibility of health insurance.

-Allow cross-state purchase of healthcare and insurance.

-Eliminate all legislative requirements for healthcare insurance policies. That is, allow individuals to choose the mix of benefits, at prices they decide are affordable, with no government interference.

Do this, and you are 90% of the way to a solution.

Why?

First, the so-called uninsured problem stems in large part from too much governmental mandates on what must be included in insurance, limited to the state in which you reside. For example, I probably have to purchase coverage for pregnancy, obstetrics, and other care no longer germane to my life situation.

Second, interstate competition will allow the natural forces of underwriting, risk pooling and shrewd risk management to cut costs for all consumers, while probably reinforcing healthier lifestyles. This latter point is an unsung aspect of healthcare.

Why should I subsidize people with unhealthy lifestyles? I want insurance to discriminate among those who: smoke, drink to excess, don't exercise, etc.

Finally, giving individuals the same tax advantages as those who receive healthcare as a compensation component would go a long way to making such coverage more affordable.

Do all of this, and people will behave more responsibly, choose affordable, relevant insurance for themselves, and spend healthcare dollars as if they are their own.

Because they will be.

Problem solved.

Only a roomful of Washington politicians seeking to benefit via increased power and money to allocate among industry groups thinks this problem is harder to solve than the basics of what I just wrote.

I've written elsewhere that we don't send our best and brightest to Washington. This is America. The best and brightest make money and pursue their own dreams elsewhere. Trouble brews when the third-stringers we allow to write legislation and govern us in a representative fashion wander off the reservation and begin restructuring our lives and economy.

Only lesser intellects could possibly think you need a special 'summit,' task forces, etc., to cut health care spending, improve personal control over healthcare choices, and generally simplify, economize and improve the US healthcare system.