Reader comments
Health-care task force faces tall task

Everything that is wrong with our healthcare can be traced to government meddling. The only thing government can do is make things worse.

It is all about MONEY, the INSURANCE COMPANIES only
out for MONEY. With this new so call HEALTHCARE thing will be alot WORSE then they are now. THE state of will be helping individuals that can't afford insurance, the INSURANCE COMPANIES will be getting CORPORATE WELFARE, all they will cover is BASIC HEALTHCARE, nothing CATASTROPHE for example
brain injury, cancer, MS, mental illness if the do it has a LIMIT. GOOD HEALTHCARE IS A PRIVILEGE NOT A
RIGHT. We are a state that does NOT SUPPORT ABORTION but what are we doing for people that afford GOOD HEALTHCARE. FAMILIES are falling apart, people are having to FILE BANKRUUPTCY where is the VALVE of a HUMAN LIFE. HR676 SINGLE-PAYER HEALTH INSURANCE PEOPLE NOT PROFIT.

When all is said and done, much more will be said than done.

Sadly, each of the preceeding comments is correct. Add the fact that Utah legislators notoriously shy away from having the courage to make real change, and we have a delicious recipe for the status quo. Fortunately for Utah Republicans, only the people will suffer, not the corporations (e.g. insurance, hospitals, etc.). Courage left Utah on the last American Airlines flight.

"Government is NOT the answer. Far too often it is the problem." I agree Dave. One is hard pressed to find ANY problems in health care in this nation that are not directly or indirectly attributable to government interference. Three huge areas:

1-Tax and other laws that tie insurance to employment AND encourage us to pay for as much as possible with pre-tax insurance money rather than with post-tax personal money. Third party payer is a fundamental part of the problem as it disconnects the user from any real notion of costs.

2-Mandates that doctors and hospitals provide free ER care to ALL comers. When did the 13th amendment stop applying to doctors, nurses, and those who run hospitals? Voluntary charity is admirable and medicine has a long history of free care. But government mandates roll out the red carpet to those who refuse to even attempt to pay their own way.

3-Tort law has gone wild. A medical mistake should NOT be akin to winning the lottery. Bad doctors should be out of work, not just raising insurance costs for all.

Most of our health care problems would be solved with LESS government involvement.

If "we the people" (government) can't help solve our insurance and health care problems, who do you think will?

Government exists for a reason.

On January 27,1995 I was in a auto/pedestrian accident. I receive a traumatic brain injury, I had HEALTH INSURANCE I got the best care that could get
I had alot support from family and friends, I still
do today. I have learn that that there individuals the have HEALTH INSURANCE had been able to get the HEALTHCARE that they need, like they do have HEALTH
INSURANCE. People cannot AFFORD the HIGH PREMIUMS,
we need CUT OUT the HIGH PAYING CEO, it ALL ABOUT
GREED. I have really learned to appreciate. Lift is a Gift. We need to stop and THINK WHAT WOULD JESUS DO. EVERYONE IS CHILD OF GOD.

I agree we need to incentivize primary care however at the same time hospitals are providing charity care to patients who should be covered by the state program..if you were a patient who could go to an emergencyn room and now have your bill written off isn't it alot easier than applying for the state program?..how does the patient fill their prescriptions and see a doctor?