Many of us breathed a sigh of relief with last week\u2019s Supreme Court decision.\u00a0 The consensus opinion was the challenges were over and we can now smooth out the edges of the ACA and enjoy the benefits of health care for all.\u00a0 In a word\u2026.Hardly!<\/p>\n
The universal plan was needed, but designed by committee in order to get it passed.\u00a0 And yes, we need Congress to clean up the rough edges, but there are more extraordinary issues that will be apparent soon enough that will call for more dramatic action.\u00a0 For example:<\/p>\n
So what needs to happen?\u00a0 First Congress must act to smooth out the inconsistencies and make structural changes so implementation can work smoother, better, cheaper.\u00a0 Secondly, government must understand that cost savings or cost containment, whatever they want to call it does not mean simple ratcheting down the providers reimbursement rate.\u00a0 They are already embarrassingly low and more and more providers are refusing to accept Medicare and the networks for the ACA are tiny and difficult to access.\u00a0 And finally, allow the free market to react and innovate some workable affordable solutions for high deductibles, affordable plan changes, etc.<\/p>\n
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Our conclusion is there will be more pain before we have a viable and affordable structure for all of America.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Many of us breathed a sigh of relief with last week\u2019s Supreme Court decision.\u00a0 The consensus opinion was the challenges were over and we can now smooth out the edges of the ACA and enjoy the benefits of health care … Continue reading