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I just finished this book, The Cure: How Capitalism Can Save American Health Care. It’s pretty interesting and thought provoking. It basically says that government health care like in Canada and much of Europe is not sustainable. Just like how the American Healthcare system is not sustainable. The main reason being that the patients, you and me, do not see the full cost of doctor visits, procedures and tests, except for a token copay if that. So we are prone to fill the prescription we don’t really need or get tests that are not really warranted. In order for companies or governments to keep costs down, they limit access to doctors (long waitlists to see specialists in Canada) or prescriptions (formularies).

The author, Gratzer, believes that the HSA accounts are the way to go. Kind of like giving a kid an allowance and only paying for the big ticket items once the allowance is spent. It makes people ask questions rather than blindly following a doctor’s advice. Because folks will be spending their own money, they will require better care and more information, weeding out the clinics, meds and tests that are ineffective.

It’s worth reading. I found myself nodding in agreement throughout the book. The only concern I have is instances where folks can’t get individual insurance because of some pre-existing condition, whether it is actual or there is just a small risk.

Just got back from a trip to Green Bay for the 4th. The plane ride from Green Bay to Chicago was heinous. We were in this United puddle jumper with no air conditioning, sitting on the runway for 10 minutes in 90 degree, 95% humidity weather. While I was fanning myself and my 2 year old, I was calculating how long I would wait before calling 911 to not be stuck on the plane for 10 hours like those poor Jet Blue folks.

But I did learn something about my kid. She is pretty smart, but not that sympathetic. On the flight from Chicago to Salt Lake, there were only two seats per side. I was on the aisle and she was on the window. I asked her to change seats with me. Why? Because people keeping bumping into Mommy. Oh. So, can we change seats? No. Why? ‘Cause they bump me!