Sunday, February 5, 2012

How Consumerism can fix our Healthcare System

Americans are the greatest shoppers on the earth.

Yet, government prohibits us from shopping for some of the most important needs in our lives like heath care as well as education services for our children.

In the early 1960s, America spent 6% of GDP in health care. So did Singapore.

America and Singapore both reformed their health care systems in very different ways.

America created two single payer systems -- one for old people (Medicare) and one for poor people (Medicaid).

Singapore created a nation of health care shoppers who have health savings accounts and who must make their own healthcare decisions.

Today, America spends 18% of GDP on healthcare and Singapore spends less than 4%.

Singapore has better outcomes as measured by life expectancy and infant morality.

The 20th century model of big government making decisions for average people has failed in healthcare, education, and just about everything else.

It's long past time that America stops listening to the self-serving 20th century reactionaries and undertake true government reform that will put the country on the right path to a successful future.