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inflation or declined operate in free markets.

In 2023, almost half of health care spending in the U.S. was by federal, state and local governments — per Petersen-KFF.

We need to get away from endless battles over Obamacare, Medicaid, Medicare, etc., and start having a discussion about how to get medical services into the marketplace, subject to competition and price transparency.

Think about the last time a doctor suggested you take a test. Neither the doctor nor you have any idea what that test costs. Or, consider a situation where you could shop around and look for the best deal.

President Donald Trump floated the idea of Health Savings Accounts. This idea, in various forms, has been around for a while. But it never has gotten adequate serious attention.

You, and possibly your employer, fund a tax-free account which you can use to pay for routine medical expenditures. Regarding coverage for major incidents, you pay for high- deductible insurance.

A big problem with what we call health insurance is it’s really not insurance. Insurance is not something that covers routine expenditures, which is what we do with health insurance. Insurance is something that should be used for extraordinary events. If health insurance was used properly, it would be much cheaper.

Imagine what would happen to your car insurance costs if it covered oil changes and routine maintenance.

There are also health sharing plans. These are community, usually faithbased, plans in which members pay monthly dues, and the overall fund is used toward health care cost claims of the members.

Health sharing plans are not insurance — although they share some characteristics of insurance in that there is the group dimension in which the pool is available to the periodic claims of members. And health sharing plans are exempt from the restrictions of Obamacare.

It’s time for unity in recognizing that our health care system is sick and the disease is too much government.

The cure needed are the core values that have delivered the great wealth to our nation over its now 250-year history: free markets, competition and the initiative and creativity of free people.

Star Parker is founder of the Center for Urban Renewal and Education. Her recent book, “What Is the CURE for America?” is available now. To find out more about Star Parker and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators. com. COPYRIGHT 2025 CREATORS. COM