Healthcare is mostly socialized already.

If you take Federal, State, Local governments along with Medicare, Medicaid, SCHIP and V.A. coverage of civilians and veterans nearly 48% of the U.S. population are on a public healthcare program or a private policy funded by public funds through their employment with a government agency.

As to those “uninsured”, many of the 46 million are that way by choice. 18 million (40% of the uninsured) are between 18 and 34 years of age. This group, other than child rearing, have low healthcare costs compared to older Americans and choose to spend their money elsewhere.

17 million (38%) of the “uninsured” have an annual household income of over $50,000.

14 million (31%) of the “uninsured” are eligible for Medicaid or S-Chip but have not enrolled!

12 million or so are illegal immigrants.

Now many of these groups overlap and you get a larger number than 45 million but about 8 million make too much to be on Medicaid, yet need coverage and can’t afford it. This is the target group that the congress and the White house needs to go after. To do that you don’t need to change the whole system which will end up with bad management, I give you:

-Cash for Clunkers
-Most State and Federal deficit explosions for 2009
-Public Education (no competitors) has led to lower test scores and more violence.
-War on Poverty
-War on Drugs
-Fannie Mae & Freddy Mac and all the fallout including:
-TARP (remember it was to buy all the “toxic” assets, which is has yet to do)
-Stimulus Package I (most of the money comes in election year 2010!)

Changes that would help and not hurt would be:
· Doctors & nurses who perform a certain amount of service for free in these clinics will have their student loans reduced and if they full fill a five year contract will have gone to school for free.
· Limits on awards for malpractice suits.
· Companies to make their employees aware of programs like Medicaid & S-CHIP.
· Tax credits for small companies who offer health insurance (public or private)
· A health insurance that is just an addition to the Medicaid system and not an addition.
· Tax credits for individuals who take the plan if not offered through their employer.
· Allow insurance to cross state boarders just like auto insurance.
· Government oversight on reimbursement rates, much like utility companies.

The cost to companies and the public would be minimal and cover those who really do want to get health insurance but cannot afford it.