Instead of looking to reinvent the health-care system, policy makers should address three fixable problems with our current system.

Congress could reduce the cost of health care by having malpractice suits be less damaging to physicians. Currently, mistreated patients can sue for unlimited damages, which is unreasonable in my opinion. I consider my life very valuable, but not limitlessly valuable. One way Congress can lower the cost of health care is by legislating appropriate limits for such suits.

Similarly, it is unreasonable in today’s society that patients must fill out forms with pens or pencils before receiving treatment. Patients’ records could be stored digitally so that all the patient has to do is authorize the hospital to access the records. A technology-based system could have less overhead and be more efficient.

Motivated intelligent students are in demand in all sectors of the economy, and medical schools are not an attractive option for talented graduates. Ultimately, we need to lower the financial barriers to becoming a doctor to increase the number of doctors and lower the cost of health care.

I agree we need to improve upon our current system, but one must look at the entire picture and realize that solutions can and do exist that do not involve trillion-dollar welfare programs.

Jake Nettnay

Batesville