Jane Lindell Hughes, M.D., F.A.C.S.
I just returned from Washington, D.C. and the Physicians Council for Responsible Reform spring meeting. We met with the physicians in Congress (there are 13 now) as well as some key Congressional leaders, including John Boehner, Eric Cantor, and Pete Sessions, to name a few. With the release of Paul Ryan’s budget proposals there has never been a better time for a full court press to repeal the government takeover of medicine, and begin the real reforms that are needed. We simply cannot afford to add millions to the entitlement rolls when the government cannot meet the entitlements it has. Until we get employers out of the healthcare insurance business by putting that money back into the paycheck, we will never force the insurance industry into offering competitive individually held portable insurance policies. Until that happens, giving Medicare beneficiaries vouchers will not solve the problem.
It was heartening to hear all that is going on to defund the worst portions of the bill before they are inacted, as well as the strategies going forward to 2012. There are people in Washington who do get it, and we need to keep forwarding useful information and input to them. With looming financial disaster and the fact that no socialized medicine model has sustained viability longterm, suggest that having “read” the bill the best option for the country is repeal.
Jane Lindell Hughes, M.D.
Every day that passes is a missed opportunity to stop the implementation of ObamaCare. As the price tag continues to go up for ObamaCare as noted on the opinion piece from the WSJ we posted today, coupled with the judges ruling brought forward by the States, there should be a groundswell of comments and actions from the conservatives in Congress. What better start to fiscal responsibility than to repeal something that has not already incurred massive cost while saving the finest health care in the world from the readily observable decline as seen in England and other socialized countries? Our system does need reform. However, most of us now realize that this is not reform, it is a hostile takeover of one sixth of our private sector economy utilizing medicine as the vehicle. The first step to reform must be the repeal of ObamaCare. Repeal can happen, but we need a lot more people in Washington with the will and the courage to do what it takes.
Jane Lindell Hughes, M.D., F.A.C.S.
I have posted a recent article from Heritage Foundation which illustrates what we already knew – ObamaCare is a financial disaster. Over the weekend I found a website that advocates for state solutions to reform of the healthcare system, a position I have long advocated. It is: www.healthconnect.com. I found the site worthwhile. Of note, when we were initially working to prevent ObamaCare from being passed, I sent a cover letter and the plan as it existed then to all 50 governors. I received a response back from about half. It may be time to send the latest iteration again!
Jane Lindell Hughes, M.D., F.A.C.S.
I have submitted the following letter (note: after reading click the Blog tab to post) to the editor which outlines my latest version of potential reforms for our healthcare system. We are at a crucial point in the struggle for a patient centered American style system of care for individuals versus the socialized medicine models of bureaucratically controlled care. We need reform but ObamaCare must go first. The Florida Supreme Court ruling was a major step towards that end. In the mean time, we all must have faith that there is a reform plan that will work!
Jane Lindell Hughes, M.D., F.A.C.S.
We have revamped our website to reflect where we are today after the passage of ObamaCare. It is interesting to note that the method of passage was repugnant to most citizens of the United States. Our current efforts reflect the determination to repeal ObamaCare and replace it with common sense private sector reforms. This is best done at the state level, and in fact several states have enacted innovative approaches to healthcare insurance reform that show promise in preserving high levels of health care while decreasing waste and needless expenditures. More importantly, states like Utah have begun the process of removing employers from the healthcare insurance business, and instead lifted mandates that have paved the way for individually held, affordable, and portable healthcare insurance.
ObamaCare can be repealed. There are better plans that will not plunge us further down the spiral of unfunded entitlements. The recent election results are just the beginning of the struggle. We must hold the newly elected to the mandate we gave them: they are in office to serve the best interests of the United States and its citizens. ObamaCare is not compatible with personal freedom, personal controll of healthcare choices, and lower cost of care. It replaces the unique doctor-patient relationship with non-medical bureaucratic mandates and regulations. It promises rationing and a failed socialized system as seen in Great Britain. Keep the pressure on our elected officials for repeal. It can be done. It must be done.
