Discussion — Panel members, left to right: Jason Edson, Americans for Prosperity; Dr. Bernard Bubanic, Integrated Source One direct health care; increase. — Nancy Johnson

MARIETTA — A grassroots proposal to improve America’s health care system reached Marietta on Tuesday, coordinated by the Ohio Chapter of the Americans for Prosperity and endorsed by U.S. Congressman Bill Johnson, R-Marietta .

About a dozen people from the Marietta community and business participated in a panel presentation and Q&A session on this topic.

The sessions at the Galley were not aimed at finding out what frustrations or difficulties people have in dealing with various aspects of the U.S. healthcare system. , is opposed to the issue of certain proposals included in the Individual Options legislative agenda. The Personal Option’s goal, they say, is to free patients from a confusing and restrictive hodgepodge of federal and state regulations. “help” healthcare system.

“We need to remove barriers, give patients more choice, reduce costs, and give Americans more control over their care.” Ezra Escudero, director of the AFP Ohio Coalition, said.

“This is where things start,” Escudero said Tuesday of the small group ahead of him. “We want you to want to learn more, share more, talk to your friends and neighbors.

Similar AFP sessions have already taken place in other parts of Ohio, and the meeting in Marietta was the second AFP session Johnson attended as one of the panel participants, he said.

“Involving elected officials, business and community leaders, and members of the medical profession is a later plan.” Escudero said. “And we hope to have another summit of nurses and doctors this fall.”

Johnson emphasized his support for the Personal Option proposal.

“Right now, in healthcare in America, people are paying for things they don’t use and don’t need. Competitiveness and free markets have made us the greatest nation in the world.” Johnson said.

Panel members included Dr. Bernard Bouvernick, a North Canton area physician who runs Integrated Source One, a direct care health practice, and Jason Edson, AFP’s Deputy Director of Issues Education and former EMT.

Four key points of Personal Option are high quality and affordable insurance. Better access to trusted doctors. Pricing Transparency; Prescription Drugs at Low Prices. But it’s not a one-size-fits-all approach, Escudero said of the plans his group has drawn up. Some of the points of the proposal:

— Expanding the availability of renewable short-term health insurance plans offered for 30, 60, 90 days or up to 6 months.

— Legalize association health plans so that, for example, 10 small businesses with a small number of employees can band together and have some leverage in purchasing company-provided health insurance.

— Expand medical savings accounts that allow pre-tax dollars to be contributed. There are some companies that can match these employee contributions.

— Promote telemedicine and telemed, which are widely used, accepted and proven useful during the COVID outbreak.

— Repeal the Certificate of Needs Act, allowing hospitals and medical facilities to offer more services.

— Enable nurses to provide trained care.

— Enable doctors and nurses to practice across state lines.

— Reform the Food and Drug Administration’s approval process to ensure new drugs and treatments reach the market in a more timely manner.

— Strengthen direct primary care.

When asked how local residents can grow grassroots initiatives into powerful entities to make a difference, Escudero echoed earlier advice. “Learn more. Share knowledge. Discuss with friends and neighbors. Join us.”

Among the information resources available, residents can find information and action items on the group’s national site, AmericansforProsperity.org. National sites have the ability to allow access to state sites. There are American for Prosperity chapters throughout the Tri-State area. PersonalOption.com has more specific information on the legislative agenda. Escudero can be contacted by email at eescudero@afphq.org.