I'm no expert or genius. I have only a few thoughts / ideas that might lead to some solutions.
My first thought is to follow the money. Who is really profiting in the health care industry? Is it the doctors, insurance companies, hospitals, clinics, pharmacy benefit management companies, pharmacies, drug companies, etc.? If the profit is reasonable and is being spread to all those involved in providing health care or benefits, then this may not be helpful. But if the profit is out of line in some area, there should be a way to control or regulate the way they do business so they are not making money at the expense of the ultimate destruction of the whole system. Everyone needs to make a fair profit. People need to be fairly compensated for their work. But who is really raking it in so as to cause the whole system to be endangered? Target those areas first.
Next, providing preventative care and wellness programs pays off overall. It may cost a little more on the front side, but the savings on the back side will more than compensate. And recognizing mental health has a lot to do with physical health and providing parity in coverage is a step in the right direction. Although a person can only do so much to maintain their health, we need to provide coverage for any care that will help individuals make healthy lifestyle choices, maintain overall mental health and manage their health risks intelligently so as to prevent as much catastrophic illness as possible.
I don't know that a government health care system is the answer as this is not especially successful in the countries who have this kind of system (long waiting lists, minimal care, restricted care, etc.). But a supplemental federally funded system that would provide a base level of preventative care for all individuals might be advantageous. Often, indigents who have been unable to obtain needed regular health care are those who tax the system the most heavily as they experience a health crisis that could have been avoided.
Cutting back on coverage seems a little like cutting off the nose to spite the face, so to speak. The cost burden is going to have to be shared, but the underlying deficiencies need to be addressed. And it's going to take an intense joint effort to really make a difference and find solutions. I have yet to see government work together this way and the private sector isn't big on cooperation either. I don't think there are any easy answers.
