Isakson says small changes can bring about "realistic" health care reform

ROME - U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson said three things are necessary for a "realistic" health care reform: Medical malpractice tort re-form, better habits and giving those like the self-employed a way to purchase affordable health insurance.

By John Bailey, Rome News-Tribune — Aug 02, 2009

“One of the largest drivers of cost increase in medical health care is the practice of defensive medicine because of liability lawsuits,” Isakson said. “People should have the right to redress in the courts if they are injured, but we have a system now that promotes the filing of frivolous lawsuits to settle for fees and that drives the cost of health care up.”

As for the private sector, companies can encourage better habits through health and disease management by rewarding those within the company with good health habits.

“There are countless examples where private sector companies like IBM and Safeway have changed the paradigm in their companies and reduced health care costs in their company by promoting good health habits,” he said.

Additionally, there is a need to provide direction from the government to insurance companies through tax credits and incentives to allow the option of affordable private health insurance policies such as association health care or collective health care plans.

For example, real estate agents are private contractors by definition and companies cannot provide health care.

“If you create a way for all of them to band together and associate themselves under one plan because the risk pool is larger,” Isakson said.