Health Care and the Patient-Doctor Choice

 Health Care in the US has always been a struggle for both sides of the aisle. Many of them have had their campaigns financed through some of the nation's most prominent healthcare insurers (including the current District 3 representative, Joyce Beatty). They have been getting paid to pass legislation that will allow them to keep charging outrageous prices with no transparency for you, the consumer. 

Cost of a Visit

•  A cost of a regular doctors visit has become astronomical. Some doctors charge upwards of $300 per visit, depending on their specialty. This is even true for a telehealth visit, a more straightforward, more cost effective way to see a patient.  

•  Let’s take Children's Hospital, for example.  A telehealth visit for a physical therapist is $300 for a ½ appointment.  This includes the parent/patient doing the exercises, and no hands-on with the patient from the physical therapist.  

• If you, the parent/patient, have to do this or are doing this due to a “pandemic” and can’t get to see the doctor in person, then the cost should be lowered.  The cost should be transparent upfront for you to make an informed decision on your health care.  

Transparency in Treatment/Cost

• I would work to make sure that price transparency is at the forefront. If you can go to a car dealership and see the cost of ownership with ease, it’s time to see your cost of care.
   
•  It's time to negotiate with the doctors, the hospital, the drug companies, and the pharmacist for the best cost. It's time that we, as Americans, know what we will pay, not be blindsided with high-cost medical bills. 

Healthcare Cost

• I would make sure that an insurance company cannot deny a person with a pre-existing condition. Not only that, but I will also make it so that they can't charge a person with pre-existing conditions any more than a person without pre-existing conditions. Healthcare costs should be the same for all people.
  
• I would not put into effect Universal Health Care. Universal health care has been a failed experiment in many countries. Canada is an example of a failed experiment in universal health care. After speaking with many doctors and people from Canada, they all agree that universal health care has failed them.
  
• I would not bring back the individual mandate.  This was a burden for many families.  The individual mandate also caused many families to lose money on their tax returns and possibly face more fines, just for not having health insurance. This is unacceptable, and I will not tolerate putting Americans in a position to be fined by our government.  
  
• I would work with the insurance companies to help them better understand that people need access to traditional medicine and alternate treatments. There are many ways to get people the care they need, but it shouldn't always be one size fits all. If a doctor prescribes it or orders it, then the insurance shouldn't deny it.

Medical Choice Freedom/Prescription Drug Prices

• I would make sure that all people keep the choice of having the doctors they choose.  Insurance companies dictate people and if that doctor is part of their “network” or not.  People shouldn’t have to choose their healthcare plan or a doctor; they should choose any doctor they want.  If you want to stay with your doctor, you will be able to as each doctor would now not be considered in or out of network but merely the patient’s choice.  

• Prescription drug prices have been a hot topic recently.  I agree that the prices have gone up and up in America without a measure to control these prices.  It’s time we tell the drug companies enough is enough and to stop robbing the American public.  When it comes to a lifesaving medicine that a person needs, they shouldn’t have to pay thousands upon thousands to get that medication.  We are the most developed nation in the World; we should keep the cost down and have access to medicines for the same price as other countries.  

People today should have access to speak with their doctor and come up with all available treatment options without worrying about outside influences!

• In Ohio, doctors are limited in treating an individual due to the pharmacy board and their stringent regulations. Not only is it the pharmacy board, but it is the medical boards that are limiting doctors from trying alternative treatments and therapies that could save a person's life.

• These boards shouldn't dictate medicine and treatments. If something has been proven to work, then the doctor and patient should have access to this treatment if they both choose to use it. Suppose a person wants a doctor to try something unconventional and possibly not been evaluated they think could work, then they can try it.  In that case, a doctor and a patient would have to sign a waiver saying that they know the risks involved. 

• I will work to pass legislation that will take the patient-doctor choice and make it law. It would take the vote of any board who tries to dictate a treatment out of the equation. I will make it so that if people want the choice, the doctor can try that treatment. I want you to know that it's the choice between you and the doctor, not the governments, to try different treatment options. 

It's all about the patient and the doctor's right to try what they feel is necessary, and that would work.  Each person's care should not be a general treatment plan, but one that works for the patient.