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Former hospital CEO examines health care policies

‘We’re just spending and spending and spending’
Mike Todt, a former hospital CEO and university lecturer, listens to a question about ColoradoCare at Fort Lewis College during a Life-Long Learning Lecture. Todt on Tuesday presented on the evolution health care in the United States and Canada. He also addressed ColoradoCare, an amendment to the state constitution that would create universal coverage and pay for it by a $25 billion tax increase.

A state ballot question to create universal health care in Colorado challenges ideologies that have hindered many nationwide attempts at health care reform.

ColoradoCare has a difficult road to travel,” said Mike Todt, a former hospital CEO and lecturer at West Virginia University.

A distrust of government, a belief in free enterprise and the individuals’ responsibility to take of their own health helped defeat many efforts to create a national universal health care system, he said.

On Thursday, Todt explored the evolution of the market-driven U.S. health care system and contrasted it to the Canada universal system at Fort Lewis College.

In the United States, the government’s role in health care has been limited to veterans, Native Americans and those who are poor, elderly or disabled, he said.

There has been a fear if the government controlled health care it could have control over doctors and limit choices.

The current system of a regulated free market has lead to Americans spending more per capita for health care than any other country, but consumers are not seeing the same health outcomes or life expectancy.

“We’re just spending and spending and spending. We’re not getting a good bang for our buck,” he said.

It has also given rise to deductibles so high, some don’t even see the benefits of having insurance.

“For people that don’t get sick, it’s a rip off,” he said, in an interview.

In contrast, Canada set up a universal system in the 1960s, and it has been backed by a belief the entire society should play a role in funding health care. People cannot opt out.

“They believe good health care, is good for the health of the nation,” he said.

Most other industrialized countries have a similar system.

If ColoradoCare passed in November, it would be funded through payroll taxes, and everyone in the state would be covered. Employees would have 3.33 percent deducted from their pay, and employers would have 6.66 percent deducted. This would be socialized insurance, not socialized medicine, because the government would not run the hospitals or clinics.

Those who oppose it question its approximate $25 billion in tax increases and its governing structure. It would be governed by an elected 21-person board, that would not be recalled. They also don’t want Colorado to be used as a guinea pig.

Notable opponents include Sen. Michael Bennet, D-Colo.; Gov. John Hickenlooper, a Democrat; and the Colorado Medical Society.

mshinn@durangoherald.com



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