I consider myself conservative - had I not missed the age requirement by two days I would have voted for Barry Goldwater in 1964. I'm a big fan of individual responsibility. I believe life choices good and bad are major factors in where we end up in life.

HOWEVER, when it comes to comes to health care and retirement in the United States, our systems have failed AND I am ready for something different.

I spent nearly five decades designing, managing and studying retirement and health care coverages. I know how people act, react or ignore these programs. I know all too many people do not accept responsibility in these areas and probably never will.

Think of the complexity involved in obtaining and paying for health care. Think of the numerous different programs in place at the federal and state levels. Think about the differences simply based on where you reside or where you work. Think about all the ideas and strategies that have not worked.

Why do we have reimbursement systems that pay different amounts to health care providers for the same service? Why do we allow companies to advertise drugs like toys?

The same is true for retirement saving. Why do we need different plans with different rules and different limits based in part on where and how you are employed? Why are we allowed to save different amounts within different plans? Why are the rules and laws so complex? It's a mess.

It seems so simple.

We need a uniform basic universal foundation of coverage for health care and retirement income (in addition to current SS) for everyone.

And we need to tell the American people the truth about what that means, what it costs and how it will be paid for.

Is it possible the United States can be right in how it approaches health care and retirement income while most of the rest of the industrialized world is wrong?

If you are opposed to such an approach, tell us why and what better idea you have.

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