How to fix the Affordable Care Act

[Goodheart]

Any thoughts?

My own, so far:

1- No more state-by-state Healthcare.gov exchanges. All Marketplace insurance providers must provide national access across all counties and parishes.... or they can't participate. Result: eliminates the talking point that some counties have zero marketplace coverage.

2- No more employer-provided coverage for Federal government workers, including the military. They must all get their coverage on the exchanges. State and Local governments can provide employer-coverage but such benefits will be taxable compensation to workers. Results: Massive incentive for private insurance companies to participate in the national exchanges.

Of course, I'd prefer to cut out private insurance companies, altogether.

[Goodheart]

1. And I forgot to mention...

Why wouldn't giant corporations such as Amazon and Google not get into my national exchange, too?

After all, there's nothing magical about what private insurance companies do. They are simply money pushing middlemen that add nothing value of to either the economy or national well-being.

[crazycatlady]

2. No more advertising of the following

Prescription drugs
Medical procedures (including surgery)
Hospitals/Medical centers
Medical devices not available over the counter

[spooky3]

3. The biggest change needed and possible is to allow Medicare to

Negotiate drug prices.

Maybe harder to do politically is to cap what companies and providers can charge for certain tests, procedures, etc., as Japan does.

Until we get serious about the costs of medical care, we are not going to be able to provide what all Americans need. We pay more per capita, by far, than does any other developed nation, for mostly middle of the road outcomes.

[PoliticAverse]

4. Insurance companies can't provide "national access" because they are regulated by states...

as well as the federal government.

[Adrahil]

5. Will have to provide care for the military....

Those stationed overseas or aboard ship need acces to quality healthcare. And peacetime care maintains the proficiency in case of war.