Dr. Wargotz Outlines Keys to Health Care Reform
Dr. Eric Wargotz, a physician and candidate for U.S. Senate, applauds leaders on Capitol Hill who decided to slow down on health care reform to get it right.
"As a practicing physician, I know we can't afford Congress to rush and get it wrong. There must be time for an open, honest debate on the merits of the proposed reform. Placing strict deadlines on passage of this legislation was irresponsible and caused it to get seriously off track," charged Wargotz.
"Real, meaningful health care reform should have three goals – lower costs; improve patient care; and, reduce waiting times for critical care," said Wargotz. "The current legislation addresses none of these things and in many cases was going to make it much worse."
Wargotz, outlining the keys to reform, continued. "To accomplish those three goals, reform must include:
- Keeping government and insurance companies out of the medical decision making process;
- Tackling frivolous medical malpractice lawsuits by capping non-economic damages thus curtailing "defensive" medical practices and reducing waste, abuse & fraud.
- Providing incentives in the health care system to attract more people to become health care professionals."
- Maintaining Medicare, and expand Medicaid to cover those legitimately unable to cover their own costs of care.
- Reforming the health insurance system: no denials based on prior medical conditions & eliminate out-of-pocket expense after fully paid premium; improved provider reimbursement.
- Reforming Pharmaceutical industry towards fair, uniform medication pricing.
- Interstate Insurance portability
"Health care makes up 18% of our Gross Domestic Product. Any reform of the system deserves a health debate in the marketplace of ideas. The wrong reforms could have devastating results for our economy and more importantly, those who the reforms are supposed to help," summed Wargotz.
Let's Make America Healthy & Strong!
