One of the crucial issues in the de-facto bankruptcy of GM and Chrysler is that of so-called legacy costs. Old Union benefits, including health care, which are a major drag on those companies viability. (and, for that matter, every company in America's)
As such, a modest proposal for Barack Obama on structuring the his domestic economic agenda. How about 'bailing out' the private sector for health care costs for everyone, rather than leaving it to negotiation?
FWIW, if done right, this would also mean a drastic reduction in administrative and overhead costs. Sure, that does mean some jobs lost. But preserving the jobs that should have been re-structured due the economic collapse only guarantees the continuation of that collapse.
'Doing it right' is of course the big question. The current effort to automate medical records (hopefully with strong privacy safeguards) is the place to start. Constructive involvement of the private sector in the creation and ongoing management of this simplified system will be the way to finish it - as opposed to previous right wing corporate efforts at undermining same.
Corporate co-pays, anyone?
