October 25, 2002
 
Dear Mr. Ramirez,
 
Our health care system is "sick" but the most of the "cures" proposed are regulations that attempt to micromanage and treat the symptoms and not the disease.

The "disease" is a lack of consumer choice and control over health plans.  Due to tax incentives, most of us get insurance through our employers instead of purchasing it on our own.  Employer-provided health plans are tax-free but individually purchased health plans are not.  The patient, as the paying customer, should be in control.

I would support a system of medical vouchers that low-income families could use to purchase health care or insurance.  I would establish incentives to use the money wisely, with any unused part of the annual allowance "rolled-over" for future medical needs.

Regulations on hospitals are forcing emergency rooms to close their doors, which give patients with no place to go in an emergency.  Misguided regulations intended to enforce common human decency are rapidly destroying our health care system.

Gary David Copeland

CEO NextCure
Libertarian Candidate for Governor