Electric (Car) Shock Treatment for Healthcare Reform
I’m a car guy. While sitting here reading the latest and greatest on all the new Hybrid and electric cars, and my wife behind me commenting (again) about the need to expand an improved version of Medicare to all Americans, a light bulb went off in my head. By reforming health care with a single payer system, we could help save the economy as well as the environment. With the tremendous savings on premiums, families could afford to pay the higher costs related to those new, no emission vehicles soon to be produced. And I would guess the remaining money could go for more of the things families really need as well, be it clothing, furniture, education and the like. Would that not stimulate the economy in a big way?
The United States not only spends much more per capita on health care than any other country ($7300 in the U.S. while in Japan and England it is about $2700) but also continues to have one of the fastest growth rates in healthcare spending among developed countries.
Electric cars are going to be hard to move in large numbers due to their expensive price tags. There is already resistance to the more expensive Hybrids which are $30,000 and up. We are talking about real family cars here, not some small commuter car for one person. These new products are exciting, and have all the comfort families are used to. An average 60 month car loan would translate to $250-$350 more per month, for these soon to be produced no emission cars. Savings in healthcare expenses with a single payer system would allow for this increase in the family budget, along with taking care of mother earth and freeing us from wars in the Middle East - another additional savings.
Almost every manufacturer has an electric car of some sort in development (see list below). Some will be available soon to the public. Too bad we are wasting so much money on over-priced health insurance that has sucked the life-blood out of families and our economy for too long. I hope the light bulb goes off in the heads of Congress and we get the health care savings we need to fire up the economy, slow climate change and provide for a healthier nation.
Doug Briz has 34+ years in all aspects of the auto and motorcycle business. His blog on cars can be found at www.myspace.com/cycarconsulting
2009 Subaru R1e
2009-10 Phoenix SUV and truck
2009-10 Mitsubishi i-MiEV
2010 Saturn Vue plug-in
2010 Chevrolet Volt
2010 Fisker Karma
2010-11 Th!nk Ox
2010 Ford EV van
2010-12 Nissan EV
2010-11 Dodge Circuit
2010-13 Jeep Wrangler EV
2010-13 Jeep Patriot EV
2010-13 Chrysler Town & Country EV
2011 Ford EV car
2011-2012 Tesla Model S
2012 Toyota FT-EV
2012 Ford plug-in vehicle
2010-12 Nissan
2010-13 Jeep Wrangler EV
2010-13 Jeep Patriot EV
TBA Fisker Karma S Sunset
TBA Chrysler 200C EV concept
TBA Cadillac Converj concept