RE: [Winona] Medical-loss ratios of largest for-profit insurers

[Davis, William MD]

[Winona Online Democracy]

I started a reply but I must have hit the wrong key so I will try again.  I find Paul’s idea very intriguing.  It provides a single payer system with universal coverage.  The poor pay little or nothing and the rest pay up to 7.5% of their income on medical care.  I like the smart cards but I would suggest eliminating the insurance companies as middle-men for the processing and just have the federal government pay directly.  They would issue the card and it would kick in when the person reached the 7.5% deductible for the year.  There are a few issues that would need to be decided.  What types of care would not be covered (cosmetic, etc.).  How the fee schedule would be established.  Very interesting!   Paul, please explain in more detail #8.  I don’t understand that step.  Bill   William Davis MD [EMAIL PROTECTED] 507.454.5050 ext 623 825 Mankato Ave Winona MN 55987   "Two seconds is too long!"  Neal Patterson CEO Cerner Corp From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Paul Double Sent: Wednesday, March 22, 2006 9:10 AM To: Online Democracy Subject: [Winona] Medical-loss ratios of largest for-profit insurers   A single payer can be simple   1)  Every tax payer would be required to spend 7.5% (Current IRS Disallowance) of the reported taxable income in the prior year which becomes their deductible for the current year.  Medical expenses include Chiropractic, Dental, Medical, Medical Supplies, Non Traditional, Prescriptions, Psychological and Vision   2)  Everything over the 7.5% is paid by the government as catastrophic coverage.   3)  All purchases are tracked with a smart card to insure the deductible is paid which is charged at the time of first use in the then current year based on the prior tax year filing.  The current cycle year is July 1- June 30 based on calendar years for establishing the tax year base for the deductible.  This allows the period January to June for taxes to be processed for the prior year and the data to roll into the data base establishing the base line for the deductible.   4)  The Federal government contracts the payment processing to providers, the same as they currently do for Medicare, for 3% or less.   5)  Coverage is afforded at birth to age 65.  Medicare remains the same except Part D is added using the Medicare 3% payment system eliminating insurance.   6)  The cost less than $1.50 per month times each person’s age, adult or child paid for by either an employee or employer tax.   7) All federal employees and Congress would become a part of the plan with no exceptions.   8) Cost control of providers is achieved with electronic hard data based on actual payment processed.     The solution is logical, affordable and easy to put in place.  The political will to do it is not yet there!    Paul Double

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