Cashless Health Care 

This suggestion is for the consideration of the rule makers, thinkers and social scientists. This brief note is intended only as a “Food for Thought”.

We believe that at times the simplest suggestion could prove to be the most potent and ideal solution to the vexed problem.

Following is a suggestion for the consideration of the rule makers and social scientists.  What follows is intended as a “food-for-thought.”    

• “At times the simplest suggestion could be the most potent solution to the vexed problem.”

AIM

·         Government should provide necessary Fund for the Scheme.

·         It should act as a link between the citizens and the hospitals and be a catalyst/facilitator to give fillip to the Scheme.

·         The role of government would be strictly restricted to laying down a broad guideline so that medical service are made available at reasonable rates.  At best government is a link between the individual beneficiary and the medical service providers.

·         The Scheme should be able to attract increasing number of Healthcare personnels.

·         The individual should have the freedom to select any practitioner or medical institutions of one’s choice for the treatment.  Should also be free to switch over to other practitioner or institution.

·         The individual need not be required to pay even a single cent for the services, including for medicines, ambulance etcetera. 

• Following is a suggestion for the consideration of the rule makers and social scientists.  What follows is intended as a “food-for-thought.”    
• “At times the simplest suggestion could be the most potent solution to the vexed problem.”

Fund requirement

Population       …        …        …        …        300 million

Annual premium (assumed)    …        …        $10000 per annum*

Total annual premium to be generated            $3 trillion

*This figure needs to be accurately determined by qualified and competent actuaries.

The arguments advanced under the “Revenue Generation” above applies mutatis mutandis here also. Therefore we refrain from any elaboration.

CONSUMERS owe to SOCIETY to provide for medical care for the services received from the SOCIETY from womb to the tomb.

An additional 3% TDS should be able to generate annually 3 trillion to meet the cost of the proposed Medicare. Thus the contribution from the INDIVIDUAL would be in proportion to the BENEFIT availed by way of services from the SOCIETY.

We would proceed to outline/describe the Scheme, in brief as under.

1. The Scheme can be christened as “Social Security Scheme” – SSS in short.
2. The Authority to administer this Scheme would be known as “Social Security Authority” – SSA in short.
3. The existing Social Security Card should serve as ID.  Ideally this should also contain details like photographs, family details etc. 
4. The SSA would recognize Hospitals, Institutions, clinics, Authorized Medical Attendants, Para-Medical staff, Medicine dispensing outlets, Ambulance providers and the allied service providers, all over the nation.
5. SSA would also lay down reasonable remunerative tariffs for the services and medicines, from time to time.  This would ensure that one uniform rate prevails throughout the country.
6. The beneficiary would present oneself before the Doctor/Institution and others for treatment supported by the ID.
7. The beneficiary would not be required to pay any amount for the medicine or any treatment/services. 
8. The Doctor/Hospital/Institution and others rendering services would keep a record of the services rendered and would get reimbursement from the SSA, say once a month.
9. In order to minimize the possible misuse of this Scheme, SSA can have WATCH DOG TEAMS at various places/areas.  These teams would serve as the eyes and ears of the SSA.
10. This Scheme could be considered for being extended to the visitors to this country against a flat rate depending on the duration of stay and age. Additionally since they would be spending money during their stay in the country, contributions from them also would be coming’ through Bank withdrawals; no special levy is being suggested here. 

In short, the Scheme envisages that at the rate of 10000 dollars per citizen per annum, we would be generating annually $3 trillion to meet the cost of health care.  This sum can be collected by levying TDS of 3% against withdrawals of sums from the Banks.  The Authority SSA recognizes series of hospitals/clinics/authorized medical attendants. Citizens can have medical treatment at any place of his choice. Hospital/clinic/AMA will get reimbursement periodically.  It will be a classic case of government and private agencies coming together to render medical service to the citizens wherein citizen would not be required to pay a single cent for treatment.

Those who do not wish to avail of this SCHEME are always free to seek other avenues.

On the death or total disability of the Beneficiary, a decent sum can be thought of being paid to the nominees or the beneficiary, as the case may be. We are not going into the details.  It is just a wild suggestion.

This brief Paper is meant as a “Food for Thought” to those who has in mind the welfare of the people of this great nation.  We trust it would receive the consideration it deserves.

For obvious reasons we have not elaborated on this SCHEME in any length. Please let us know your thoughts on the viability of this thought.