Urgent Reform Of Medical Licensure

Posted: 1/6/2015

Prologue

This is a thesis or still a work in progress! I try to keep it simple and to the point.

Rationale

One size fits all mandated government solutions are usually terrible and their outcomes are bad.

All these government (directly/indirectly) mandated licensures create a false sense of safety and quality of service. More importantly, these mandates stymie progress and considerably inflate costs for health care.

It is plain paternalism. It is socialism! It severely infringes on the rights of consumers to choose!

What is urgently needed is more competition and human ingenuity without government shackles!

Reform Proposal

1. Whether to acquire a license as a person working in the  medical professions (doctors, nurses, lab technicians etc.) should be voluntary, no government mandate. Employers may freely choose, which employees they employ
2. Governments on any level may establish and run their own licensing procedures or quality assurance procedures, but participation by medical professionals should be voluntary
3. Government may choose to report on the quality of medical services to ensure more transparency etc.
4. Private organisations or entities may establish and run their own licensing procedures or quality assurance procedures/reporting, but participation by medical professions should be voluntary
5. Transgressions or criminal acts by medical professionals should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law and severely punished. With freedom comes responsibility!
6. No privileges or preferences for labor unions or professional organisations

Impact

Yes, quacks may come back! However, a significant number of the currently licensed medical professionals are quacks too. Let the consumer decide! Let medical service suppliers do their best to distinguish themselves!

I would bet with anyone that the costs by this reform and other necessary reforms in the healthcare sector (e.g. private, individual, and voluntary health insurance for everyone; prescription medication etc.) would considerably drive down the costs of health care.