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> Government (i.e., Medicare) reimburses doctors a percentage (about 80%) of the average cost of services delivered in a given area;
> Private insurance companies typically match these government reimbursement rates;
> Mrs. Smith buys health insurance through her employer which requires a $20 co-pay for office visits;
> Mrs. Smith suspects her son has asthma and wants him to see a doctor;
> Dr. A chages $200 for an office visit (insurance will pay him $160);
> Dr. B charges $160 for an office visit (insurance will pay him $160);
> Mrs. Smith will only pay $20 out of pocket so she doesn't care which doctor she sees;
> Mrs. Smith does not consider cost when she chooses a doctor;
> Normal downward pressure on prices is largely eliminated;
> Government policy sets a de facto "floor" for healthcare prices which prevents normal market pressures from decreasing the cost of healthcare.
Get government out of healthcare if you want to reduce costs.
Sounds great except that there are millions of people, the elderly and the poor, who cannot get insurance and cannot afford health care. Unless you are willing to let those who cannot pay die then the free market cannot work.
A society that doesn't care for the health of it's citizens is not a healthy society. It should be the first item on the social agenda. When the health of a nation is secure then the strength of the nation is assured.
I agree with the destination, but I disagree with how to get there.
Government has been actively involved with healthcare finance since the mid 1060's (Medicare, Medicaid, etc.). Costs have spiraled out of control at several times the core rate of inflation due to artificial government manipulation and the lack of market forces.
If you desire higher quality care, delivered at lowere cost, to a greater percentage of Americans, then get the government OUT!
> Government (i.e., Medicare) reimburses doctors a percentage (about 80%) of the average cost of services delivered in a given area;
> Private insurance companies typically match these government reimbursement rates;
> Mrs. Smith buys health insurance through her employer which requires a $20 co-pay for office visits;
> Mrs. Smith suspects her son has asthma and wants him to see a doctor;
> Dr. A chages $200 for an office visit (insurance will pay him $160);
> Dr. B charges $160 for an office visit (insurance will pay him $160);
> Mrs. Smith will only pay $20 out of pocket so she doesn't care which doctor she sees;
> Mrs. Smith does not consider cost when she chooses a doctor;
> Normal downward pressure on prices is largely eliminated;
> Government policy sets a de facto "floor" for healthcare prices which prevents normal market pressures from decreasing the cost of healthcare.
Get government out of healthcare if you want to reduce costs.
I disagree. Government is the only solution. Government must work with the insurance industry and care givers to come up with a system that provides for all. Even the least of society. Right now that exists in a patchwork quilt of bandaids. If you're in this country and you have no money, the emergency room will see you and write it off or factor it in to existing payees. (Reagan Emergency Care Mandate) but the system could work so much better and efficiently if the providers, insurers and government were to find consensus on the whole program and work together. Right now, each one is the enemy of the other and the whole society suffers.
There are millions of people, the elderly and the poor, who cannot get insurance and cannot afford health care. Unless you are willing to let those who cannot pay die then the free market cannot work.
It cannot be a basic human RIGHT if it imposes on you a duty to deliver my "right" to me.
It may not be recognized as a basic human right but it is a nation's social mandate. Reagan realized that and ordered all hospital emergency rooms to take any and all patients, by law. Not coming up with a program to fund it was his republican side showing itself.
Government must work with the insurance industry and care givers to come up with a system that provides for all.
Government, insurance companies, care givers, etc. DESIGNED the current sysyem !
Quote:
Originally Posted by mohawkx
The system could work so much better and efficiently if the providers, insurers and government were to find consensus on the whole program and work together.
Government, insurance companies, care givers, etc. DESIGNED the current sysyem !
It may not be recognized as a basic human right but it is a nation's social mandate.
Call it a social mandate if you like, but it is NOT a right.
The policy implications of the distinction between a "right" and a "social mandate" (a.k.a. privilage) are profound. We cannot possibly agree on the best route to take if we have not yet agreed on the destination.
> Government (i.e., Medicare) reimburses doctors a percentage (about 80%) of the average cost of services delivered in a given area;
> Private insurance companies typically match these government reimbursement rates;
> Mrs. Smith buys health insurance through her employer which requires a $20 co-pay for office visits;
> Mrs. Smith suspects her son has asthma and wants him to see a doctor;
> Dr. A chages $200 for an office visit (insurance will pay him $160);
> Dr. B charges $160 for an office visit (insurance will pay him $160);
> Mrs. Smith will only pay $20 out of pocket so she doesn't care which doctor she sees;
> Mrs. Smith does not consider cost when she chooses a doctor;
> Normal downward pressure on prices is largely eliminated;
> Government policy sets a de facto "floor" for healthcare prices which prevents normal market pressures from decreasing the cost of healthcare.
Get government out of healthcare if you want to reduce costs.
Government is not in the pediatric business. Medicaid, the govt. ins. for poor people, and SCHIP, another program for kids, probably pay the dr. 25c. Since kids don't usually have medicare, the insurance companies reimburse based on "usual and customary" rates, not what the govt. pays for a dr. visit. If Dr. A and Dr. B are both going to get $160 from the insurance, the difference is only $20 between the two. Perhaps Dr. A is closer to Mrs. Smith's house; perhaps Dr. A is a board certified pediatrician and Dr. B is a 70 year old GP who hasn't learned anything since he graduated (they're out there); etc. This "Econ 101" stuff just doesn't work in health care.
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