A Call to Conscious Evolution:

In support of the health and healing segment I have written a proposal for a change in how we calculate the cost of health insurance making it more affordible until we have the time to work out some of our other issues. A proposal to CHANGE how we pay for health care ï This is not intended to change our current system of providing health care coverage; there are many problems with the current systems of coverage and care but we need more time to fix those. ï This will not create a national insurance administration but could still be administered by insurance companies. ï This is not socialized medicine, but is intended as a means of paying for health care for all. ï This is not going to immediately reduce the national cost of health care but it has that potential ï This will cover everyone regardless of pre-existing conditions and not eliminate any one from getting care and advice but would have them be responsible for their choices. ï This would take the issue of health care away from the tax budget and out of the political arena, no more Medicare or Medicaid. Everyoneís health insurance premium base* would be the same percentage of their income (per dependent) regardless of source of that income. This percentage* would be based on the national cost of health care as a percentage of the gross individual income (not taxable income). In other words both people on welfare (including beggars) and those earning multi-millions per year would be paying the same fair share percentage tax deductible premium. The emotional affordability would cost every one about same even though fiscally the cost would very greatly. However, any approach to health care for all would place a greater tax burden on the wealthy as we are looking at ways to solve our current dilemma without changing our paradigm. The actual percentage would be slightly higher then the exact equivalent to cover prevention and nutrition education* programs, as well as covering the cost of care of those without any income and the cost of administration. Also, there would be a surcharge for those who choose to ignore medical advice* and/or participate in risky behavior*. This surcharge would be based on the rate of how that behavior affects overall cost of health care. With everyone participating there would be a reduction in the cost to businesses. There would also be the added benefit of not reducing the effectiveness of our current system of delivery as everyone would have a vested interest in controlling costs. *Premium BaseÖThe base premium would cover basic care (birth to death) currently provided by PPO, HMO, Hospice or some such standard. However, those who elect to have a more pampered not more qualified medical advice and service would be able to pay an additional profit based premium unrelated to income level. As I see it, health care would be like an airplane, everyone gets there, but some can afford more creature comforts. The pilot/doctor is equally responsible for everyone on the plane/practice. *Prevention and nutrition educationÖThis proposal would have prevention and nutrition as the cornerstone of reducing the overall cost of health advice and care. *Medical AdviceÖEach participant would have the right to choose their source of medical advice. This would be from a broad spectrum of possibilities and probably should include more then one discipline with a nutritionist as part of the mix. The emphasis here is on ADVICE so that participants are making informed choices. This could eliminate the need for ëhealth advisorsí to carry malpractice insurance as the patient would sign off on the advice they chose. On the other hand the participant could choose to pay for ëmalpractice protectioní they could get from their insurance provider. Health care would be like an airplane the pilot gets everyone to their destination and gets paid equally for each passenger, but some passenger can afford to pay for different levels of creature comforts not a safer ride. *Risky BehaviorÖIt is said that 97% of all people die in bed. That is not risky behavior. Unprotected sex, smoking, sky diving, over eating, and a whole host of other behaviors have an effect on the national cost of health care which are currently being calculated. For example smoking costs the nation a given amount each year. That amount can be expressed as a percentage of the national cost of health care. No one would be eliminated from coverage because of their behavior, but would be responsible for the extra cost of how that behavior affects the national cost of health care. For example if smoking adds 10% to the national cost and the participants base health insurance premium is $400 per month a smoker would pay $440. Submitted by, David Kelm 1025 Pleasant Pl Oak Park IL 60302 708-975-9300