Ideal Health System

This is the summary from Building An American Health System, a 2003 award-winning proposal by J.L. Richardson, M.D. Now in 2009 few things have changed.

For the ideal American health system, the goal must be provision of health care to everyone. This is a national priority. This system must be uniform and easily accessible for everyone. National (e.g. Medicare, Medicaid) and international (e.g. Britain's National Health Service) government programs in combination with the commercial sector of health service leaders are appropriate models. Using the systems and components that are successful in these entities will be the foundation.

The system will be managed through the government and insurance companies. The government seems most experienced and prepared for the task as an infrastructure already exists through the Social Security Administration and other government agencies. In addition, the information technology infrastructure is already in place. This provides the most extensive database of the nation's health care recipients that would be accessible to physicians and hospitals. This should ensure that all have access to the best comprehensive quality health care.

In order to attain the above, the employer-based model would be phased out. Purchasing health insurance from the government will subsequently be available to everyone. Each person will pay directly for services at prices comparable to Medicare and Medicaid fees. Through the Public Health Service all preventive screening will be done without charge. This will lead to a healthier people and a health system that takes care of everyone.

Prevention and intervention in a timely manner to all must be the ultimate goal in rebuilding the American health system as "...one nation under God...".

Great health is true wealth!



Thanks to Kathleen O'Connor, founder and CEO of Code Blue Now, the American public was invited to share their ideas on building a decent health care system in America by sponsoring a contest in 2003. Out of this health care reform effort, Code Blue Now was born. For details, visit http://codebluenow.org.