The government decided we needed better health care coverage for our senior citizens and created Medicare. We needed better healthcare for the poor and created Medicaid. We have a separate health care system for the military and we have the VA hospital system.

Almost 1/3 of those with health insurance get it from the government, and over 40% of health care expenses are covered by the government. What we already have is largely a government health care hybrid system.

Since the government already covers much of the health care market they have substantial influence over what doctors get paid. A doctor who receives Medicare reimbursement is not allowed to charge higher than the dictated rate.

If we as a country want to insure health insurance coverage for everyone that is one directive; if we want to reduce health care costs that is another. Increasing the number of doctors would drive medical costs down and increase availability.

Our tax laws encourage overconsumption by making first dollar coverage tax deductible. We should expand Medical Savings Accounts, give the people more control over their options, reduce mandated coverages, and encourage lower cost higher deductible insurance policies.

We would be better to give vouchers for buying insurance coverage for those unable to afford coverage.  But this would force the government to realize that the real problem is trying to deliver a benefit without having to pay for it. While many suggest that the free market does not work in health care, a position I strongly oppose, they fail to acknowledge the extent that government control has long diluted and countered the benefits that the free market would have brought to our system.

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