Focus on the Issues!

I haven't been at Whole Foods for awhile. I was laid off last spring, and WF's prices put them into the "discretionary" expense category. But I happened to visit one today. Doing so made me think about the broo-hah over WF CEO John Mackey's editorial in the WSJ -- read the unedited version. (Thanks, TW, for the link.)

There are 86 long screenfuls of comments; I only got through one. But my first impression was "What's all the fuss about?"

And then I realized it. His 7 (actually 8) points aren't at all unreasonable; people got pissed off at him because he said healthcare isn't a right. His unfortunate inclusion of that section derailed everyone away from the key points he made. And while I have not read all 1017 pages of the current draft of the healthcare reform bill, the summaries I've read (it's difficult to find one that isn't biased-- can anyone recommend some good sites?), make it seem like the following items are not addressed at all.

And frankly, while I am an Obama-loving liberal who would walk my kids five miles through the snow to have Obama speak to them (if I had any kids), I'm not sure I can disagree with the recommendations Mackey makes below. Some I don't know enough about. I invite comments, BUT, please keep your comments focused on the issues and the items below. I will delete any comments that get into personal attacks of anyone, or that veer off onto the topic healthcare as a right (or not). Go somewhere else for that. Please discuss the following points made by Mackey:

1. Remove the legal obstacles which slow the creation of high deductible health insurance plans and Health Savings Accounts.
   
   
2. Change the tax laws so that that employer-provided health insurance and individually owned health insurance have exactly the same tax benefits.
   
   
3. Repeal all state laws which prevent insurance companies from competing across state lines.
   
   
4. Repeal all government mandates regarding what insurance companies must cover.
   
   
5. Enact tort reform to end the ruinous lawsuits that force doctors into paying insurance costs of hundreds of thousands of dollars per year.
   
   
6. Enact Medicare reform.
   
   
7. Permit individuals to make voluntary tax deductible donations on their IRS tax forms to help the millions of people who have no insurance...
   
   
8. (even though Mackey didn't number it): Address the root causes of disease and poor health.

Please share your thoughts. And remember: no flaming. no personality-bashing. and focus on the above. Thanks!

-- Scarlet