Mike Smith, of Northrop Corporation, say(s):
July 4, 2009

I appreciate the work that Commomwealth is doing in regard to casting light on the future of health care in the U.S.

I have little or no confidence in any new increases in federal control over health care; they have a lousy record in legislating and managing most or all current federal programs.

But we clearly need to make changes in health care in the U.S., and equally clearly, the federal government will be involved. Assuming this to be the case, I'd like to propose TWO simple rules:

[1] ANY health care program initiated by the Congress MUST include members of Congress -- no exceptions! -- on a completely equal basis with those of us they represent.

[2] ANY health care program MUST be constrained to cover ONLY valid U.S. citizens -- no free rides for illegal aliens, or for their non-citizen family members.

If this simple rule were followed, we at least could be assured that the inevitable problems in such a complex program will be quickly and effectively corrected, and that the focus of the health care system would be on American citizens, and would not be used as a "draw" to lure ever-increasing numbers of illegals to this country.

Hans Francke, of Alliance for Health Care Reform, say(s):
June 8, 2009

Thank you for bringing these ideas.

What is staring us in the face is $600 billion per year in excess administrative costs. Physicians practices deal with 100s of insurance companies, employ up to 60% of staff for all this unnecessary paperwork. It will still be staring us in the face, if do not place administrative costs on the REFORM table.