Whenever I hear someone talk of "health-care reform," I can't help but wonder why health care needs reforming. This country has the best health care available in the world. One need no longer go to the local barber shop for a trim, shave and bleeding. Our state-of-the-art hospitals are clean, nurses and physicians are competent and technology is advancing at an unbelievably rapid rate. The care provided the ill in the United States cannot be surpassed. Why then the cry for reform?
It seems people are under the false impression that because health care is expensive, it isn't good. Under any other circumstances, high price would indicate high quality and would be well worth the added expense.I find it ironic that people will pay $150 for a pair of athletic shoes just because they bear the name of a famous athlete, yet complain about a $30 blood test that could save their life. Maybe it would be more acceptable if a chemistry profile was renamed "Air-Nalysis Jordan."
When it comes to health care, the only thing that needs reforming is our way of thinking. Instead of looking to the government to control costs, we need to recognize the role it already plays in adding to health-care expenses. Hospitals and clinics in this country spend thousands of dollars each year to satisfy the requirements of the government. Entire departments with several employees each, dedicate their time on the job to meeting government demands. Agencies that have nothing to do with health care are now helping regulate the health-care industry. Common sense is being replaced by government guidelines.
Are we so stupid that we can't see what a government-controlled health-care system would lead to? Many countries have tried and all have failed or are failing. The only people who like the Canadian health-care system are those who have never had to access it; the rest are coming here for treatment.
If the government were to get out of the health-care regulation business, the system in this country would care for itself. Free enterprise would be allowed to work and health care would be market driven. Prices would come within reach of the average American, and good business practices and principles would assure care for the rest.
Todd F. Cope, R.N.
Spanish Fork