Making Healthcare Safe and Affordable

As recently as the 1960s, low-cost health insurance was available to virtually everyone in America - including people with existing medical problems. Doctors made house calls. A hospital stay cost only a few days' pay. Charity hospitals were available to take care of families who could not afford to pay for healthcare.

Since then the federal government has increasingly intervened through Medicare, Medicaid, the HMO Act and tens of thousands of regulations on doctors, hospitals and health-insurance companies.

Today, more than 50 percent of all healthcare dollars are spent by the government.

Health insurance costs are skyrocketing. Government health programs are heading for bankruptcy. Politicians continue to pile on the regulations.

The Libertarian Party knows the only healthcare reforms that will make a real difference are those that are draw on the strength of the free market.

The Libertarian Party will work towards the following:

1. Establish Medical Saving Accounts.

Under this program, you could deposit tax-free money into a Medical Savings Account (MSA). Whenever you need the money to pay medical bills, you will be able to withdraw it. For individuals without an MSA, the Libertarian Party will work to make all healthcare expenditures 100 percent tax deductible.

2. Deregulate the healthcare industry.

We should repeal all government policies that increase health costs and decrease the availability of medical services. For example, every state has laws that mandate coverage of specific disabilities and diseases. These laws reduce consumer choice and increase the cost of health insurance. By making insurance more expensive, mandated benefits increase the number of uninsured American workers.

3. Remove barriers to safe, affordable medicines.

We should replace harmful government agencies like the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) with more agile, free-market alternatives. The mission of the FDA is to protect us from unsafe medicines. In fact, the FDA has driven up healthcare costs and deprived millions of Americans of much-needed treatments. For example, during a 10-year delay in approving Propanolol Propranolol (a heart medication for treating angina and hypertension), approximately 100,000 people died who could have been treated with this lifesaving drug. Bureaucratic roadblocks kill sick Americans.

On the Issues:

Significant changes are needed to make our health care system work much better

2. In a recent survey, a majority of Americans (81%) say they are dissatisfied with the cost of health care in this country. If elected, how will you address health care costs for Americans?

3. Do you agree or disagree that it is the responsibility of the federal government to ensure all Americans have basic health care coverage?Disagree
The Constitution does not grant the federal government the power to tax citizens for the purpose of providing health coverage for others. After witnessing the conditions of certain VA-hospitals, social security, and nationalized services such as Fannie Mae, it is quite clear that the federal government is not the right organization to manage the healthcare of all Americans. Nationalized programs such as that in Canada are less than successful and result in their citizens coming here for help.

4. How well do you think the Medicare prescription drug benefit for seniors is working?

Not working well
The current system is failing our seniors; it is not sustainable and will be bankrupt in our lifetime. With baby boomers retiring, there are more people using the system and fewer contributing. I propose massive cuts in unconstitutional programs and selling off those assets not required to perform enumerated duties. This will allow us to meet our social security and medicare obligations to seniors while returning some funds to other citizens for personal retirement and health plans.

5. What strategies would you use to increase the focus on prevention and wellness in our health care system?

I support the efforts of private enterprise, charitable non-profits, and educational institutions to build an awareness of prevention and wellness techniques and practice. Ultimately, it is the responsibility of the individual to ensure the wellness of his or herself as well as their family.

6. Most agree that the use of standardized electronic health records (EHRs) will make the health care system more efficient and reduce medical errors. Do you think the cost of implementing EHRs should be paid for by the public sector, the private sector or some combination of the two?

Private

7. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is the agency that funds most of the medical and health research paid for by U.S. taxpayers. Since 2003, funding for the NIH has been outpaced by inflation. Which of the following statements comes closest to your view on funding for NIH?

Funding for NIH is not a priority

8. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is charged with protecting the health and safety of Americans. In recent years, funding for core programs (such as chronic disease and injury prevention, tobacco control and environmental health) at the CDC has been cut. Which of the following statements most accurately reflects your view?

9. The Veteran’s Administration (VA) supports health research at VA facilities nationwide. In the proposed budget for 2009, research to improve health primarily for veterans is cut. Which of the following statements most accurately reflects your view?

10. The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) is the lead federal agency charged with funding health services research, which seeks to rapidly translate discoveries from research into medical practice and improve the quality, safety and effectiveness of health care. From 2002 to 2007, funding for AHRQ was cut or remained flat. Which of the following statements most accurately reflects your view?

11. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is responsible for protecting the public health by assuring the safety and effectiveness of human and veterinary drugs, biological products, medical devices, our nation’s food supply, cosmetics and products that emit radiation. Which of the following statements best reflects your opinion?

Funding for FDA is not a priority
I would support a review of the FDA and its contributions in protecting the public health. It has encouraged unsafe practices regarding vaccinations while at the same time delaying approval of medications by up to 10 years - in one example, this cost the lives of 100,000 Americans suffering from a particular heart ailment. As in all functions of government, citizens need greater transparency into the success of the FDA. The results would determine the future of the FDA.

12. How important would you say it is that the U.S. work to improve health globally? If important, please describe how you plan to increase our nation’s role in promoting and improving global health. If not, please explain why.

Very important
By cutting taxes and eliminating earmarked spending in favor of special interest groups, Americans will have more disposable income. With these extra funds, concerned individuals may act cooperatively, as Americans always do, to improve global health. This can result in less government overhead and more funds going directly to those who will benefit.

13. Studies show that certain health problems are more prevalent among people with lower incomes and among minorities. How important do you feel it is to conduct research to understand and eliminate these differences?

Very important
Health research is important in meeting the needs of those with lower incomes and minorities. The private sector, as well as charitable non-profits, are in an ideal position to address this need without the undesirable influence of the political lobby and special interest groups.

14. Do you support or oppose increasing federal funding for state/local health departments and hospitals across the country that are expected to prepare for and respond to threats to our health?

15. Current evidence suggests that the U.S. is experiencing shortages and/or poor distribution of certain health care professionals. How high a priority would you say it is for policy makers to create more incentives to encourage individuals to pursue careers as:

Physicians?
A top priority

16. Do you agree or disagree that mental health services should be part of all health care plans in the public and private sectors?

17. Comparative effectiveness research compares two alternative treatments for the same condition to see which works better for the average patient. Many feel Medicare and private insurers should only cover the most effective treatment. Others feel, since comparative effectiveness only determines which treatment works best on average, the ultimate decision as to what treatment to be used should be left to doctors and not the government or insurance companies. Which is closer to your own view?

18. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? "The U.S. is in danger of losing its global competitive edge in science, technology and innovation." If you agree, what approach would you take to change this trend?

Agree
We have witnessed the effects of government intervention in such organizations such as Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, Countrywide, AIG, Wachovia, and Washington Mutual. We must return the scope of the federal government back to that authorized by the US Constitution. Prior to our current system of massive entitlement programs, government nannyism, social engineering, and excessive regulation, the United States was a leader in developing new and innovative technologies. We must restore that status.

19. Do you support or oppose expanding federal funding for research using embryonic stem cells?