ObamaCare – why are we forgetting this is about affordable health care? by Tony Green

Doctor examining young girl

The first portion of the Affordable Healthcare Act or ObamaCare was enacted a few months ago.  As designed, Americans without access to reasonably priced health insurance can enroll with federal and state run insurance exchanges to select plans where financial assistance is available to help cover the cost. In light of bipartisan bickering people seem to overlook the reason the Affordable Health Care Act was drafted and legislated. The reality is many people cannot access to health care for themselves and their children. This, in the end, costs everyone since medical providers are required to care for insured patients and in many cases the expenses are absorbed by those who have health insurance. 

Is health care a right? The rest of the world thinks so. Canada, Australia, Europe and Japan all have national health insurance programs. Interestingly enough, the exchanges which were recently rolled out are similar to the Japanese systems on providing health care for its citizens.  

Japan’s National Health insurance created in 1958 by its National Health Care Act which was designed for people who are not eligible to be members of any employment-based insurance programs. All Japanese citizens, permanent residents, and any non-Japanese residing in Japan with a visa lasting one year or longer are required to be enrolled.  

The program is administered by local governments. Patients are free to select physicians or facilities of their choice and cannot be denied coverage. When the insured person uses a medical facility or hospital which accepts the National Health insurance, the patient pays a portion of the cost. The medical facility will then send invoices for the remaining amount to the National Health Insurance Federation, which reviews and pays the medical facility or hospital.

Hospitals, by law, must be run as non-profit and be managed by physicians since for-profit corporations are not allowed to own or operate hospitals. 

The United States is the single major power without universal basic health care for its citizens. The United States takes pride in being one of the world’s most progressive thinking nations is the rest of the world entirely off base by providing, at the least minimum health care at some for all of its citizens?? 

Accountability vs. Responsibility by Tony Green

Note: this posting was intended to part of a blog based on my experiences as an employee in a Japanese company which was never launched.

Japanese businessman

Working for a Japanese company as a Sales Manager with American customers presents certain challenges on a daily basis. On my first day of work my boss told me I would be responsible for sales and marketing in Canada, Mexico and the United States. No problem.

The management in Japan clearly stated the expectation of meeting the goal of penetrating our company’s products in the North America where currently we had no market share.  No Problem.

The problem was the folks in charge did not tell me the entire decision making and authority process would be based in Japan. The insight into the market place which I was hired to provide is appreciated, however, the team leader makes the call from the home office. Perhaps, I should have recognized a “gaijin employee” like me would never be allowed to possess any true authority. In my own defense, this was my first experience working for Japanese company.

In many companies you are compelled to take instruction/direction from management. My concern is what happens when all does not go according to plan? The foreigner gets singled out that he was not doing his job and takes the “bullet” so the team does not lose face.

I think ultimately the issue comes down to accountability versus responsibility. The expectation is you will manage our clients to where the business is profitable while maintaining a satisfied customer. As the customer representative your job is to make these activities happen. Responsible and accountable. Keep in mind you have no decision making authority in managing the specific accounts which you are responsible for. At least I am still accountable. Seems quite fair to me.