Why I Don't Want Socialized Style Health Care

While so many have been disgusting over the AIG bonus business, another story has been in the headlines. Actress Natasha Richardson had an accident and passed on suddenly. Embedded in the sadness and accolades was another less talked about truth. She would have been better served had she been transported by helicopter to a hospital. I was surprised to read that Quebec doesn't have a helicopter system.

Time is of the essence in traumas. We often hear the term "golden hour," referring to the fact that people are more likley to survive if they are treated within that first hour after an accident. We have a fine trauma system in the United States that is required to take care of everyone, regardless of ability to pay. So when you hear politicians talk about problems with our healthcare system, we need to remind them to change their word. Our healthcare payment system is what needs changed.

Our insurance costs have risen dramatically, so I don't think that anyone would say we don't need to reform the system. But before we allow politicians, most of whom know little about healthcare, to change our system in ways we don't want, we need to get the best minds from all sides of the debate to engineer the best solutions.

Let's keep the best of our current system like choice of doctors, hospitals, etc. Let's keep the cutting edge procedures and advancements. Let's get rid of fraud, waste, and abuse that plague Medicare and Medicaid. Let's find ways to bring down the costs so it is there for everyone. Let's do this the right way. By coming together, we'll figure out what that is.