One of the attributes that sets us apart from all other species on the planet is our ability to reason. Therefore, in a very non-partisan way, I pose the following question for your consideration. Do we believe that our governments, both state and federal, have successfully managed our Medicaid and Medicare programs? If not, then why should we trust them with a national health care program?

I think we need more comprehensive health care coverage, coverage that is more accessible to those non-covered individuals but also places some responsibility on the end user (us) so that the system is not abused.

No easy task, but a government-run system will take the best delivery system in the world and turn it upside down. Everytime the government imposes new regulations on health care providers, our cost goes up.

Next time you visit your doctor ask him/her how much of their time today (percentage wise) is spent on administration issues versus patient care, and how much more time did they have to spend with their patients prior to the government enacting their HIPPA regulations. Ask them how many times in the last five years they have purchased new computers and software just to keep up with new policies and procedures imposed on their operations.

To comply with a national program, would this again increase their admin and technical support costs?

These are just miniscule impacts of a national health care program, but in reality, they really affect us and our ability to recieve satisfactory care for the medical problems we face during the course of our lifetimes.

What do you think?

We want to read your ideas. Send them to The Cadiz Record, ATTN: What do you think? via mail (P.O. Box 1670, Cadiz, KY 42211), our office (58 Nunn Blvd.) or email (news@cadizrecord.com with What do you think? in the subject line). Some responses will be published in our Letters to the Editor.