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As a doctor with deep commitment Improving the health of our nationI have seen firsthand the challenges facing our healthcare system. I wrote about this in “Make America Healthy Again” in 2020.
Unfortunately, we are worse off today than we were back then. The new presidential administration has the opportunity to implement meaningful reforms that emphasize patient care, personal responsibility and the power of American innovation.
Here are five essential steps the administration should take Make America Healthy Again:
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and President-elect Trump (Getty Images)
1. Promote free market principles in healthcare
America’s strength lies in its free market, and that principle should continue to extend to health care. By reducing burdensome regulations and promoting competition, we can reduce costs and improve care. Furthermore, price transparency is key to improving the quality of our private healthcare system.
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Requiring hospitals to publish the cash price of their services would allow patients to make informed comparisons of services regardless of their insurer’s network status. Insurance companies should allow funds spent on all medical care, whether in-network or out-of-network, to count toward the deductible. If the patient chooses a cheaper provider below the average price, they should do so share in the cost savings generated for the insurance company.
No patient should go bankrupt because of emergency medical procedures. What we continue to see is insurance companies playing their usual games to pressure either patients or doctors by not covering the cost of services provided and then “surprise billing” the patient because they are billing their beneficiaries have not paid for emergency services. Emergency services should be paid for by the insurance company regardless of network status. Patients should focus on saving their lives, not on getting to the right emergency room.
Promoting free market principles also requires an expansion of Health Savings Accounts (HSAs), which can be used for all medical services, and should be allowed for anything related to wellness, even if it is transportation to the doctor or running shoes.
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A free market environment encourages providers to compete on price, quality and service, leading to improvements in healthcare delivery. HSAs give patients control over their healthcare spending. Vendors looking to attract these dollars must compete on quality, price, or both.
2. Addressing the chronic disease epidemic
Chronic diseases Diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and obesity account for the majority of health care spending and preventable deaths in America. The administration must prioritize prevention by incentivizing healthier choices.
Tax deductions for gym memberships, nutritional advice and wellness programs could encourage lifestyle changes. Reforming agricultural subsidies to prioritize whole, nutrient-dense foods over processed and sugary products would help improve our nation’s health. Government-funded subsidies should be limited to healthy foods that nourish the body and mind, while communities must make neighborhoods safe for outdoor physical activity.
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3. Empower states to innovate
Health care must reflect the diversity of our nation. States should have the freedom to design health systems that meet their individual needs. States have existing relationships with hospitals, primary care physicians, insurers, and nonprofit organizations that can be leveraged to improve population health.
Conversion of Medicaid Funds Blocking grants would allow states to innovate and use resources more efficiently. This approach would encourage creativity and accountability while ensuring vulnerable populations receive the care they need. States may also allow “emergency-only” health plans while allowing patients to use expanded HSA funds to pay discounted cash prices for preventive and routine care.
States can also expand telehealth services to improve access to health care and limit drug co-payments to make necessary medications more affordable.
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4. Restore the doctor-patient relationship
Overregulation and bureaucracy have eroded the doctor-patient relationshipwhereby personalized care becomes an assembly line. The administration must reduce the burdensome reporting requirements of Medicare and private insurers so that doctors can spend more time with their patients.
By eliminating the heavy reliance that large hospital systems have on independent physician practices and by collectively eliminating draconian restrictive regulations, competition will be forced to reduce costs while improving the quality of care and allowing patients to freely choose their doctor .
Insurance companies have contracted with large hospital systems that consolidate care to save money and drive out good doctors. They do this by keeping reimbursement rates so low that doctors and other medical providers are forced to focus on isolated treatments or forego insurance altogether.
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5. Ensure a secure pharmaceutical supply chain
The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed the fragility of our lives Pharmaceutical supply chain. Overreliance on foreign manufacturers has left us vulnerable to shortages of essential medicines. The government should incentivize domestic production of essential medicines and active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) to protect public health. A robust “Buy American” health care policy is critical to national security and preparedness.
Restoring America to health requires bold action, a commitment to free market principles and a focus on empowering individuals. By implementing these five strategies, the new government can create a healthcare system that is affordable, effective and patient-centered. It’s time to prioritize health over bureaucracy and empower Americans to take responsibility for their well-being.
