Man & Machine hosts a round table discussion featuring the president

That's right everybody. President Bush and other members of the government held a round table discussion at Man & Machine Inc here in Maryland. The purpose was to discuss the rising cost of health insurance for small businesses and what we could do to fix it. Don't believe me? Check this link, it's got pictures and everything!

Man & Machine Inc. manufactures waterproof keyboards and mice designed to limit the spread of harmful microbes and infections in health care environments. Man & Machine’s sealed keyboards and mice are sold to hospitals, laboratories and dental offices across the country where patient safety is of utmost importance. We are a leader in the health care industry, making environments safer, with an unmatched passion for our products.

Clifton Broumand, The Big Cheese of Man & Machine, has that same passion about providing health insurance for his family of employees. In his opinion, the current healthcare system is broken. His health insurance costs have increased 73% in the last four years. The lack of choices when it comes to finding fair and quality healthcare coverage, coupled with being forced to pay more money year after year without any additional benefits has forced Broumand to choose between expanding his business and providing for his employees. Broumand considers this unfair to small businesses.

He feels there is another way. Broumand advocates that everyone: individuals, employers, hospitals, heath care workers, insurance companies and local, state and federal government, be involved in fixing the system. Strong incentives to entice everybody to get health insurance would help. By having more healthy people covered health care would become more affordable for those who need it. Develop a medical home for everyone. This will help people to take care of themselves in a cost-effective way. Broumand also wants insurance for all children. If the family’s income is not sufficient, then let the government help pay.

Another way to fix the system is to promote preventative health care. Paying for wellness programs and preventative health care would lower the cost because people’s health would be better maintained and early diagnosis and treatment would avoid higher costs in treating more advanced disease. If private insurance companies can be more efficient than the government, then they should handle coverage. But that doesn’t preclude the government from being a partner in the system.

The bottom line is that everybody should have health insurance and the cost should be fair. When that happens, then the health care system would be healthier and equitable.

“Whether Republican or Democrat, we all have the same goal: the best health care for all Americans,” Broumand said.

That’s the Man & Machine philosophy.

Any questions?