Free Market Universal Health Care
By Hardy Machia
The health care system in Vermont is in peril. The question is: can the left and right come together to fix the fundamental problems with the system? Will the left hold out for a single-payer system? Will the right only support a system that benefits big business?
In researching health care systems around the world, one system stood apart from the rest. Switzerland's health care system, in place for more than 80 years, covers all of its citizens, and combines free-market health care with universal coverage.
A Swiss universal free market health care system can bring the factions from the left, right, and middle together so that Vermont can finally move toward health care for all without slipping into bureaucratically-rationed single-payer system or to a system that mainly protects corporate interests.
If elected governor, health care reform will be a top priority in my administration. My plan can bring the left and right together on the health care issue and finally move our state down the road of reform:
1. Learn from the success of the Swiss system of universal free market health care. By purchasing private insurance policies for Medicaid recipients and the uninsured, the state can save taxpayers over $100 million per year while keeping Medicaid solvent, providing universal coverage for all Vermonters, and restoring the benefits of the free market. (Figures compiled from 2000 VT Health Care Expenditure Analysis; Vermont Department of Banking, Insurance, Securities and Health Care Administration; Published October 2002.)
2. Leverage the buying power of the 10,000+ members of the Vermont Teachers Association by encouraging it to self-fund or negotiate with health insurance companies to offer low-cost health care for all of its members. This will also lower the cost of education in Vermont.
3. End corporate welfare. Blue Cross/Blue Shield lobbied for community rating legislation that essentially forced out competitors that were providing less expensive policies to Vermonters. Repeal community ratings and allow insurance companies to give premium breaks to customers who make healthy lifestyle choices, such as not smoking and maintaining a healthy weight.
4. Work to allow Vermonters the option of buying their prescription drugs from Canada. I was the first candidate in the governor's race to provide links via my website to Vermonters interested in getting their drugs from Canada and to offer tips for finding deals on drugs in Vermont. One Vermonter I know has had success purchasing drugs from GetCanadianDrugs.com. She saved almost 50% on her prescriptions compared to Costco, which has the cheapest prescription prices the state.
5. Remove burdensome regulation that drives up the cost of health care. Customers should be allowed to pick and choose the type of coverage that best fits their needs of their family. I will work to repeal regulations that mandate specific types of care or procedures be covered by insurance companies, which ultimately drives up the cost of health care for all of us.
6. Expand legal access to medical marijuana for all applicable medical conditions. As President of Vermont NORML, I helped push for the passage the medical marijuana bill so the sickest Vermonters could have legal access to a safe, effective, and natural medicine. Governor Douglas's outspoken opposition led to a limited law that only allows patients with cancer, AIDS, and MS to legally use medical marijuana. The law must be expanded to include other conditions, such as Lou Gehrig’s Disease, Crohn’s Disease, chronic pain, and more. Politicians must leave medical decisions to patients and their health care practitioners.
Overall, my plan restores choice and competition for health care and health insurance in Vermont, which will dramatically improve quality, provide coverage all Vermonters who want health insurance, and save taxpayers approximately $100 million dollars.
Hardy Machia, 35, of Grand Isle is running for governor. His business, Catamount Software, specializes in software for handheld computing. His political experience includes chairman of Grand Isle Selectboard, the Northwest Regional Planning Commission, justice of the peace, and president of Vermont NORML. He has received the Libertarian Party's nomination, and is seeking nominations from the Green and Constitution parties. More information is available at http://www.freevermont.org.