Free Healthcare

So, what is the very simple solution to ridding our overloaded Emergency Rooms of GOMERS, and making Emergency Care more affordable? Here’s a hint – the answer is NOT National Health Care. The answer is simpler still – FREE HEALTHCARE FOR ALL AMERICANS !

Think about it – American charities dispense free health care all around the world – why not offer it here as well, available to ALL AMERICANS, regardless of income, social status, or locality. Hey, if Warren Buffet wanted free health care, we would give it to him – everyone is invited to participate. The SAME FREE HEALTH CARE is available to everybody – no one is excluded and everyone gets treated the same. We can call it FREEDOMCARE – what could be more American than that? It can really be that simple – but there are a few catches – so pay close attention.

FIRST, we construct a nationwide network of free clinics across the country, and concentrate them, initially, in areas where there are large numbers of uninsured. Ideally, they could be situated close to large hospitals, but we don’t have to be limited to this. They will be no-frills affairs, with bare-bones waiting rooms and no private treatment rooms. They will be located in the cheapest space we can find – maybe a converted warehouse or inner city loft. Whatever it takes to minimize costs.

SECOND, we staff the clinics with a whole range of health care professionals, a large portion of which will be active military medical personnel. Hey, our military might even increase the number of recruits it trains for medical positions to meet the need. After all, knowing how to change a dressing is a better real-world skill then driving a tank is. Other medical professionals will be required under law to serve some time here. Here are some of those candidates. If you receive a medical education in this country, and that education was financed in whole or part by a US government loan, you must dedicate at least some time every month in a free clinic for 5 years after graduation. Likewise, if you are a foreign national who wishes to emigrate and practice medicine in this country, you must also serve in a free clinic. If you are a doctor convicted of Medicare fraud, instead of serving your time in prison, you will be placed under house arrest and serve your sentence working in a free clinic. In fact, if you are any health care professional convicted of a non-violent crime, the free clinic will become your prison. Hey, we could use non-violent convict labor to fill a whole range of clinic duty, including custodial work and maintenance. With a little creative thinking, I am sure we can find enough qualified personnel to staff these free clinics at very little expense.

THIRD, you will never get to see a doctor unless you REALLY need to see a doctor. In fact, many people will have to endure a gauntlet of medical professionals before they see an actual MD. You may need to see an Army medic, then a registered nurse, then a physicians assistant, and then a nurse practitioner before you actually see a medical doctor – and then only if you really need to.

FOURTH, medications that are dispensed will only be generics – no drug company representatives will be allowed on premises unless they are a patient presenting for care.

The entire operation will be decidedly no frills. No appointments will be necessary – or even given – patients will be seen first come – first serve - after they have been triaged by condition. In fact, patients should expect to wait a good amount of time – that’s just the way it will be.

Oh, and one other thing: All patients must sign a waiver for malpractice prior to being seen. No waiver – no treatment. What do you want for nothing … rubber biscuit??



One final caveat – the ER will be allowed to turn people away by referring them to the free clinic. Hey, they could even offer a free shuttle service. They will be able to do this totally without consequence or liability.

Of course, EVERYONE will have the option of using our traditional, full service system that we enjoy today – nothing about that will change – except that the rates we pay for care and health insurance will drop significantly.

OK, this is just a germ of an idea – there will be a lot of bugs to work out – but at least it would be a start. But do me a favor – don’t say “That will never work BECAUSE”…please say instead “That will never work UNLESS…” – we need to keep a positive attitude.

Looking forward to your comments….


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