Medical Care

This is my third commentary on political issues that affect your November 7th vote in Manhattan's 66th House of Representatives' race. Two weeks ago I outlined my platform; last week I spoke to the unfairness of sales tax on basic foods and went on to suggest that our state should cap property taxes for seniors living on social security.

Today let's talk medicine. As I enter my senior years - I'm 62 - I too am concerned about the availability, cost and quality of medical care.

Although liberals tell us our health care system is terminally ill, I say it is the best in the world. We have great doctors, wonderful facilities and medical companies producing all sorts of products for shedding our cholesterol to moderating our blood pressure. We should take great care not to dismantle the excellence already in-place in our attempts to cure the remaining ills.

Because we have great quality, most Kansans are concerned about costs and availability. Here are three ways to address medical costs:

1. Individual health savings accounts - tax free investments to cover our health care expenses; 2. Association plans - national plans for institutions like the AARP and Farm Bureau to drive down individual member costs; 3. Tort reform - get trial lawyers out of medicine and the sooner the better.

As for availability, research suggests between 300,000 and 600,000 Kansans are uninsured. About a third of them are on Medicare - these are folks with very low income. Another third can afford health insurance but choose not to buy it. The middle third do not qualify for Medicare and can't afford traditional coverage. It is this middle group which might benefit most from the 3 cost-saving steps outlined above.

Americans generally are blessed with great medicine. Yes, our model can and should be tweaked and improved incrementally, particularly for those on the margin. At the same time we should be good stewards by protecting what has long proven to be an acceptable and effective medical system.

First published in the Manhattan Free Press, October 18, 2006.