The system is seriously broken.  
     
  Politicians frequently state that there are over 100,000 uninsured in the State of Maryland, which may be true. However, it does not mean that there are 100,000 people without healthcare .  
     
  As most without health insurance already know, you cannot be turned away by any state supported hospital if you cannot pay. This is why legions of the uninsured use our emergency rooms for routine healthcare. Using our most highly qualified, critical healthcare resources to treat everyday healthcare problems is an insane utilization of resources. Our hospital costs are inflated by it and our citizens are ill-served by this solution to the problem. There has to be a better way.  
     
  Small businesses comprise 99% of employers nationwide. Many small businesses cannot afford to fund health insurance plans, especially when they are prevented from joining group plans. Passage of (U.S) Senate Bill S1955 would be the best first step in addressing the crisis in healthcare. Urge your (Federal) representatives to support it.  
     
  It is common wisdom that, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. While addressing the big crisis, let's address the smaller one too. Health Care Spending accounts have not helped the working class because they have a negative savings rate (and don't participate).  Medical problems may be complicated for want of the price of a co-pay or office visit.  
     
  Although many small businesses cannot afford health insurance plans, many, if not most, offer sick days. If elected, I will support legislation to (voluntarily) allow businesses to (deduct) and let employees "bank" (income tax free) unused sick days to use (in cash) for payment of health care expenses (only). *  This sort of employee benefit pays for itself in increased productivity, which in turn, makes it affordable for small business.  
     
     
 

* In the interest of full disclosure, of a possible conflict of interest, I would like all to know that I am involved with an entity that is seeking to productize this concept.

 
     
 
Copyright © 2006 John R. Austin