Question by A p: What are the “real” reforms that we need to see in healthcare?
I’m trying to educate myself more on the issue. I remember back about a year ago or so, people were saying that insurance needs to be able to be bought across state lines (or something like that). Surely there are more issues than that.
I have heard Republicans and Democrats alike say there are some basic reforms to healthcare that need to happen (not covered by the new Health Care bill/Obamacare/whatever). What changes can be made that will make healthcare more affordable Americans (whether paid for through Obamacare or through private companies)?

I remember listening to Hannity once, and by some miraculous chance, he let someone with an opposing view get their full word in. I want to say the caller said something to the effect of “but insurance companies opt to pay the lowest costing [potentially less affective/not as safe] treatment vs more effective treatments.”
Hannity then hessitantly said “it’s not a perfect system”

not a “perfect system?!?!” “Not a perfect system” is having to wait a little bit longer for care. Getting a less effective treatment because it’s less expensive…that’s a pretty major flaw imo!

Again, I’m looking for answers. I’m trying to educate myself. I don’t like how much in debt we are now, and I hate the idea of becoming even more in debt, and I know the current health care paints America a darker shade of red. At the same time, we need to have health care that is plausabily affordable. I’ve heard medications can be made for pennies, yet they are sold for hundreds of dollars a bottle.

Best answer:

Answer by rob3rtdagr8
first and foremost is tort reform…..take the money away from the attorneys

Answer by HAHAHAHAHA
I think one of the biggest problems with health care is inefficiency stemming from the level of health care providers. Here’s a great article outlining this by Atul Gwande: http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2009/06/01/090601fa_fact_gawande

He mentions something about rewarding physicians and hospitals for increasing efficiency which would take a bottom up approach at reducing costs. The article is not saying that people should get less treatment but that excess costs should be taken care of. The article compares two hospitals in Texas, and shows that despite spending more on treatments and tests, patient health is certainly not better.

It’s also true that some medication monopolies jack up costs, but for some drugs, especially cancer drugs, it really costs a lot to develop and manufacture.

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