Friday, January 4, 2013

Paying Up

Congress and President Obama are still trying to get the nation's fiscal situation under control.  The next step, presumably, will be substantial spending cuts, largely through reforms in Medicare, Medicaid, and the healthcare system-- the main drivers of future federal debt.  Reforming the healthcare system has already been tackled in Obamacare, but most agree that was just a first step.

One reform that might be considered is increased pay for home healthcare aides.  If the point is to build a wellness system, as opposed to strictly a disease treating system, such aides will be the primary human connection between individuals and the system.  I know many of my aides have two and even three jobs, which complicates scheduling and tends to reduce overall effectiveness.  If they could make a reasonable living doing one job, the focus of the whole effort could improve.

Of course, that would require more spending, but, as they say, it might provide more benefits long term.

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