Fixing Health Care

During this current election cycle, the debate on health care is raging again. On one end there are those who believe that it is best to trust government to do the job of health care because the free market has failed. On the other hand, there are columnists like John Bambenek who make the case that government regulation has brought the health care system to its knees and more regulations will only make it worse.

There is also a good argument to be made that once government starts funding health care; it will use its unique position to impose lifestyle choices on citizens against their freedom. For instance, New Jersey already has a government agency to fight obesity. Will they simply deny or restrict health care to those who don't exercise?

Any attempt to reform the health care system should focus on putting choice back in the hands of patients. The only way to have a responsive health care system is to allow patients to choose to take their health care dollars to another provider. Without that incentive, businesses will simply try to maximize profits without having any real concern for the patients or their desires. It is unfathomable to believe that some unelected, unaccountable bureaucrat will make better health care decisions that a patient and their doctor.