Take health care out of employers’ hands

Politicians have constructed a complex system to pay for our health care. It doesn't have to be complicated.

First, eliminate employer-based insurance and replace it with high-deductible policies not carried by employers. The dumbest part of the health care payment system is that if an individual changes jobs, his or her insurance changes. If people lose their job, they lose insurance.

Take it out of the employer's hands. If an employer wants to contribute to your health care, allow them to contribute to a health savings account, or HSA.

Let's examine how this would work. Say you have a $3,000 deductible policy. The premium would be affordable, and you pay for doctor visits, check ups, and anything else under that $3,000 mark. Most years you wouldn't touch your insurance, much like your car insurance. However, if something catastrophic happens, your insurance would kick in after you pay that $3,000.

We have HSAs to help with deductibles. High-deductible policies exist. For low income, I see a policy assistance program to help cover their cost, as long as they contribute.

That's it. No tricks or gimmicks. Insurance would be affordable. People who use the service (doctor visits) would start paying attention to the price and shop around. This would install competition and reduce cost. It's a win, win, win.

However, it will never happen. Americans think that health care is a right. They don't want affordable health care, they want free health care.

Brad Fisher

Marion