From: mfriedma@uucp (Michael Friedman)
Newsgroups: talk.politics.misc,alt.rush-limbaugh,alt.politics.elections,alt.politics.clinton,alt.politics.bush
Subject: Re: SC rally: "We don't want a draft dodger for president!"
Date: 13 Sep 92 06:41:22 GMT
Organization: Oracle Corporation
X-Disclaimer: This message was written by an unauthenticated user
              at Oracle Corporation.  The opinions expressed are those
              of the user and not necessarily those of Oracle.

In article <farenebt.716352807@craft.camp.clarkson.edu> farenebt@craft.camp.clarkson.edu (Bri Farenell) writes:
>mfriedma@uucp (Michael Friedman) writes:

>>In article <farenebt.716237519@craft.camp.clarkson.edu> farenebt@craft.camp.clarkson.edu (Bri Farenell) writes:

>>>Clinton's plan
>>>helps those who can't afford insurance but doesn't affect those who can.

>>Typical left wing bull crap.  Bri wants us to forget that we will have
>>to pay for it.

>All right, let me ask you this, could you propose a better system? 

Well, first off, let's make sure that we're all clear that Bri has
conceded my point.  We do have to pay for it and it does affect all of
us.  Don't let people claim that government paid helath care is free
because it damned well isn't.

Now, can I propose a better system?  Bet your ass.  The key is to hit
the things that make it cost.

I.  Too many lawyers.
II.  Too few doctors.
III.  Overuse of the system.
IV.  Irrational use of the system.
V.  Unhealthy habits

I.  Too many lawyers... steps to fix it.

A.  If one side in a malpractice suit offers to settle for $X and the
other side refuses and the eventual judgement is for less than $X then
the side that refused to settle must pay the other side's court costs.
For example, if you sue me for $1,000,000 and I offer to settle for
$500,000 but you refuse and the eventual judgment is $400,000 you have
to pay my court costs.

B.  Jurors can assess punitive damages against the PLAINTIFF if they
feel the suit is frivolous.

C.  Guidelines for the amount of damages for different kinds of cases.
Judges are expected to alter the jury award if it is out of line
unless there are extraordinary circumstances.

D.  If a lawyer takes a case on a contingency basis and the eventual
judgment is that his side must pay then he is responsible for a share
of the judgement.  For example, if I sue you and my lawyer does it for
40% of any money received but the jury says I have to pay you $100,000
for a frivolous suit then my lawyer has to pay $40,000 of it.

E.  If the judge thinks there is a good chance of a judgment against
the plaintiff he can require the plaintiff to post bond before suing.

F.  Elimination of deep-pockets lawsuits - defendants pay a share of
the eventual judgment based on their percentage responsibility, not
based on ability to pay.

II.  Too few doctors... steps to fix it

A.  Let in foreign doctors and tell the AMA to stick it.

III.  Overuse of the system...

A.  Encourage significant deductibles in insurance plans - for example
50% of the first $1000, 10% of the next $3,000, and 1% of anything
more each year.  Nothing should be free.

IV.  Irrational use of the system...

A.  Prioritize procedures ala Oregon.  Encourage plans not to pay for
the stuff below the cutoff.

V.  Unhelathy habits...

A.  Encourage plans to pay wellness benefits.  Do the same for welfare
and other federal assistance.


----

If you do all this then healthcare will be cheap again and we won't
need to have all this whining and screming about national health care
plans.

-- 
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Newsgroups: talk.politics.misc,alt.rush-limbaugh,alt.politics.elections,alt.politics.clinton,alt.politics.bush