The Repeal of the ACA and the Cost of Healthcare: A Path to Affordability

The problem with the US healthcare system is not merely the repeal of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) but the exorbitant costs driven by a lack of legal competition. These high costs are unsustainable and highlight the need for a systemic change that empowers patients and dismantles monopolistic practices.

Understanding the American Healthcare Crisis

The cost of healthcare in the United States is the highest in the world. One of the main reasons for this is the long-standing legal monopoly granted to doctors for accessing medical drugs, established during the FDR administration in 1938 through the Hatch-Waxman Act. This monopoly has distorted the market and prevented competition from driving down prices. Eliminating this restrictive law could have a transformative effect on the healthcare landscape.

Eliminating Prescription Drug Monopoly: A Necessary Step Forward

I am a vocal advocate for the repeal of the 1938 prescription laws that granted doctors the exclusive right to access medical drugs. By removing these barriers, patients and providers can engage in a more competitive market. This competition can lead to lower drug prices and more accessible medications. For instance, chronic conditions like high blood sugar and high cholesterol can be managed effectively, significantly reducing the risk of heart attacks and strokes. Adding a simple daily dose of aspirin can further reduce these risks.

Institutions like Walmart offer a compelling example. Their generic drugs are priced affordably, with a 90-day supply for just $100 per year for blood pressure and cholesterol medications, plus an aspirin. This demonstrates that chronic conditions need regular medication for management instead of cure, making such affordable access a crucial factor in preventive healthcare.

Reforming Primary Care and Medical Education

Primary care does not necessitate the comprehensive education required for MDs (Medical Doctors). Nurse practitioners are often fully capable of handling these services, which would free up MDs for more complex and specialized tasks. Reserving MDs for situations that genuinely require advanced education would help in cost reduction and improve healthcare efficiency.

Furthermore, medical students should be educated at national expense with no student loans. In return, they must provide service in clinics for a decade following their training. This approach ensures that the immense financial burden of medical education is mitigated, making healthcare more affordable and accessible. Currently, the cost of medical education, including medical school, internships, and residencies, amounts to approximately $250,000. This high cost, combined with steep interest rates, drives up the cost of medical services. Medical practices must be equipped and staffed, adding to the overall costs.

The Impact of Affordable Healthcare on Insurance Costs

For those who refuse to continue paying what amounts to a mortgage-level health insurance premium, reducing the cost of healthcare is essential. By making healthcare more affordable, we can bring costs in line with those in the rest of the developed world. This not only benefits individual patients but also the broader healthcare system, encouraging prevention and early treatment over expensive emergency care.

In conclusion, repealing the ACA and addressing the root causes of high healthcare costs through competition, reformed education, and more equitable healthcare delivery can pave the way for a more affordable and accessible healthcare system.

Keywords: repeal of ACA, healthcare cost reduction, medical access and cost