Based on your own familys experience, what do you think we should do to improve health care in America?

Question

Based on your own familys experience, what do you think we should do to improve health care in America?
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Boy, where do I start? brbrId like to see insurance companies have less control over what medical decisions are made for an individual. If a team of doctors has determined that a particular treatment is the best choice, why does a corporation, with no medical background, get to deny that treatment? brbrId like to see drug companies have less influence over consumers. Since theyve been allowed to advertise their latest thing on television, patients are telling their doctors what to prescribe. Generic drugs may work just as well, but we are a brand loving society. Rather than sticking with the tested and inexpensive generics, we push our doctors to prescribe the new drug we saw on tv last night. Not only does this encourage people to spend more money on drugs unnecessarily, it encourages the drug companies to continue developing new versions of similar drugs. I read that we havent developed a totally new antibiotic in decades. Rather than develop a drug that will be used once, drug companies focus on new variations of drugs for long term use, because they can make money off of it. And boy, can they make money! I know that the true cost includes both the development AND production of the drug, but it seems like the companies are making a heck of a profit. If they can sell the same drug for a fraction of the cost in other countries, why cant they sell it for a reasonable price here? brbrId like to see every citizen of the United States guaranteed basic health care at reasonable prices. We claim to be advanced, enlightened, the best country in the world, and yet our citizens often go without medical care because they cant afford it or cant afford the health insurance. The insurance provided through my job is a flat rate regardless of how many people it covers. I am single, no dependents, and yet my insurance premiums cost the same as a coworker with a family of five. At one point, between jobs, I tried to get independent insurance coverage and was refused because of my weight. I was within their acceptable weight range which was only pounds higher than the upper quothealthyquot limit for my height, but because I had recently lost pounds they refused me and told me to try again in six months, so they could quotbe sure Id keep the weight off.quot Ive visited insurance companies as part of my previous job. Ive seen the acre professionally landscaped site with walking paths and lakes. Ive eaten in the executive lunch rooms and employee cafeterias that served better food than most restaurants Ive been to. Ive seen the three story fountains in the lobby, and I know one company in particular that as a matter of policy closes its doors at noon on Fridays in the summer. When my premiums go to fund the insurance companys private fitness club, I have a problem. brbrIts unrealistic to think that we could easily change to a national health care plan in this country. It would involve wiping out all insurance companies, and creating one enormous new government entity. Instead, we need to work within the system we have to reduce costs and increase coverage. So my suggestion? Start controlling the insurance and drug companies, and stop letting them control us. Or more specifically, stop letting them control you, our government.