“Health care reform” sounds like music to many peoples’ ears, and could also be a boon to investments and related exchange traded funds (ETFs), but what exactly does this mean?
So, how does a country go about restructuring something so complex and controversial as health care? It is hard to compare the United States to countries such as Canada, Great Britain, or France, due to the size and ties to government and industry, says Chris Weber for AOL News.
Here are some of the issues according to Atul Gawande for The New Yorker.
- The free marketers argue that the only coherent solution is to end public insurance and employer-controlled health benefits so that we can all buy our own coverage and put market forces to work.
- On the left, single-payer enthusiasts argue that the only coherent solution is to end private health insurance and replace it with a national insurance program.
- Health care reform does not come about by stroke; acceptance of what we have is the best approach, and then build upon it to make it better.
- In designing a new program, we should build on the current one; there should be no noticeable change for those who have coverage, rather construct a life boat for those who need it.
- Offer entrance into already existing systems, such as the Veterans’ Assistance or Medicare, for those who lack coverage.
- Co-payments and premiums are here to stay-there is no utopia answer.
- Aim for transformation, not perfection, because there is no perfect answer.
ETFs that could stand to benefit:
- Vanguard Health Care Fund (VHT) down 1.7% over the past month
- Health Care Select Sector SPDR (XLV) down 1.2% over the past month
The opinions and forecasts expressed herein are solely those of Tom Lydon, and may not actually come to pass. Information on this site should not be used or construed as an offer to sell, a solicitation of an offer to buy, or a recommendation for any product.