Is Access vs. Insurance the real issue in healthcare reform.

The American public is confused as to the issue of access vs. insurance. Are we reforming how we access healthcare or just in how we buy insurance? It seems the way we buy insurance is continuing without change. Whether we buy it from an exchange, privately, or the public option we are buying insurance and paying a premium for the coverage. So to argue this point is to no avail. The fact is we will be paying insurance premium to the insurance companies for healthcare coverage period. We are relying on the current insurance distribution system.

Now let’s look at access. Even though we buy insurance does not guaranteed a medical provider will accept the insurance. Many medical providers today are accepting no insurance, whether private or public, only direct cash payments.

So even though we have reform which will mandates insurance there will be no guaranteed you will have access to care. So just having a policy is not enough.

Now the design of policy coverage is also a big question. If reform includes no pre-existing conditions, no limits or caps, no high deductibles, and all plans must include prevention and wellness, the insurance industry will surely increase the premiums.

So by not changing the current insurance distribution system, the insurance companies will continue to control and receive all the money in premiums. So by offering a comprehensive plan which pay for everything, they can freely increase the cost of plan, and with mandate everyone must buy a plan.

Providers in the other hand, does not have to accept the insurance. The fact is, with a 30% administrative cost in the premium, and the excess office administration expense to the provider, it better to offer direct care, direct payment and accept no insurance.

I think the president plan should allow providers to continue to offer care directly, allowing for providers to offer primary care services and accept no insurance.

Americans are looking for access to healthcare, and affordable premium. Providers are looking for direct care and direct payment. It’s time to re-examine the current insurance distribution system.

Why can healthcare reform have this combination of access, direct care, and catastrophic insurance for the back end at an affordable cost? A 47MR model exist can shows how this can work. www.47millionreasons.org