One of the primary reasons for the current woeful situation is that since the 1950's, health care delivery has not been market-driven. In the 1950's, companies started offering health insurance. While it seemed like a good idea at the time, it ended up a third party between doctor and patient. The patient was no longer aware of the cost of a treatment. In fact, the cost of the premiums generally does not show up on a paycheck, and most people aren't even aware of how much health insurance costs. Why is this a problem? Consider what would happen if everyone going to the grocery store only had to pay a $20.00 co-pay regardless of what they took home. Think about what kind of food you would start getting. Think, further, what kind of food the grocery store would start stocking. The analogy certainly isn't perfect, but it does illustrate the problem.

One of the ways to solve this problem is to make the consumer aware of what health care costs. By going to a low-cost/high- deductible plan with a health savings account, the consumer simply pays cash for services until the deductible is met. If the consumer does not spend all of the money in the health savings account, it simply rolls over to the next year. This simple change would motivate consumers to ask the doctor how much a procedure will cost and possibly seek a less expensive alternative. The consumer may also be motivated to ask for generic drugs. Ideally, the consumer may even be motivated to lead a healthier lifestyle. The principles of personal accountability and rewarding responsible behavior will always bear good fruit.

As of July of this year, thanks to legislation that I sponsored, all state employees will have the option to move to a low-cost/high-deductible insurance with a health-savings account. Provo City employees and Utah County employees are already on this type of plan, and the benefits have been evident.

On a final note, people should be given the freedom to get the kind of health care service they desire. If people wish to go to an alternative provider, they should be allowed to do so. I know of a number of people who have been greatly benefited by some types of alternative care, and as long as the type of care is shown to be safe, I believe a person ought to have that choice.