MUSKEGON - A Muskegon surgeon who has a plan for universal health care took to the MLive comments forum to clear up some questions about a program that he says would expand coverage and lower costs.

Dr. James Rice is chief of staff at Mercy Health Partners and president of the Muskegon County Medical Society. He was recently elected to the Michigan State Medical Society board of directors, representing physicians from Muskegon, Newaygo, Oceana, Mason, Mecosta, Osceola and Lake counties.

Everyone would pay into a health insurance system through flat income and sales taxes, which would be held in a state or regional health fund, Rice said. Each person would be allocated a health care budget based on their likely health needs.

People would incur a monetary penalty if they skipped preventative care that is supported by evidence, such as vaccines, mammograms and colonoscopies, Rice said. They would get a bonus for shopping around for the best buy on nonemergency care.

Here are some of the questions asked by MLive.com commenters, and Rice's answers.

Question from shanedr:

Email: mhart2@mlive.com

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Health care reform Q & A with Muskegon surgeon