Definition of Problem
 Definition of Problem


 National Level Failures

* Nation paying for runaway,  increasing health care costs,  12%
of Gross National Product in 1990, which still do not  cover
the health needs of its citizens.


Insurance Failures

* Individuals paying for runaway,  increasing health care costs
 which  still do not provide full coverage,  nor cover their
 health needs.
* Insurance policies not inclusive in coverage.
* Insurance  companies saddling physicians and  hospitals  with
 myriad claim forms and procedures,  dissipating their time,
 adding to their costs, and taking the joy out of practicing      
 medicine.
* Insureds paying for duplicate coverage one or more times,  and
still not receiving full coverage.
* Group and individual risk pools too small for reasonable  and
economically affordable insurance rates.
* Insured persons who use medical services are dropped from in-
surance policies or plans.
* Non-profit Blue Cross/Blue Shield being bankrupted by  preda-
tory practices of commercial insurance companies.
* 37 million citizens without medical insurance.
* Fraud encouraged to qualify for Medicaid.
* ERISA being used by federal government and insurers to  block
progress.