- Joined
- Dec 22, 2012
- Messages
- 66,591
- Reaction score
- 22,202
- Location
- Portlandia
- Gender
- Male
- Political Leaning
- Libertarian - Right
Universal healthcare does no good to reduce the costs if we still have the levels of lawsuits we have.We are the ONLY one of the 34 OECD countries without UHC and have by Far the highest costs. (and not near best outcome)
A suggested call to a Service Model like police or teachers.
Not a bad idea.
The more I watch and learn, the more I am for UHC
I agree it is a problem, except these procedures are done because of the lawsuits. To protect from them.About the steepest cost of medicine/medicare is unnecessary tests and defensive medicine, Not lawsuits.
I disagree. I have shopped around. I located a doctor when I had no insurance, explained my situation, and searched for a doctor that would take on the spot payment for services rendered. I found a doctor willing to give me great prices, because his staff only had to do appointments and not mess with insurance companies not trying to pay him.Health>Medicine is not like shopping a car.
It's Not competitive.
People don't shop when they're sick or deathly ill.
Medicine doesn't lend itself to competition/capitalism as well as other business.
Government interference always raises process. Look at how much secondary education costs now that it's so easy to get student loans. There is never a shortage of students. Supply and demand pricing... Gone.The cause of medical costs are a combination of basic economics (supply and demand) and a healthy (pun intended) dose of government interference.
The cause of medical costs are a combination of basic economics (supply and demand) and a healthy (pun intended) dose of government interference.
Your poll doesn't include "other, please explain."
I believe regulations and lawsuits are the largest reason our costs are so high. We have standards stricter than other countries, and are a very litigious people.
I never said we need to eliminate litigation. Problem is, there are risks any time a procedure is done. It isn't always anyone's fault, but anytime something goes wrong, the chances are high to get a payoff.I disagree. Without some sort of legal recourse against the arrogance of the medical profession, we'd be getting the wrong limbs amputated and horrible care. I personally had a back surgery, with no pain medication post op. I woke literally screaming my brains out, till they knocked me out and got the rx for the meds.
What do you think, caused the Medical costs to become so astronomical?
Was it the nature of capitalism to extract as much profit from the value of a product, as possible. And of course, what amount would we not pay to be healthy? Is capitalism of this sort, taking an unfair advantage of our desire to not be physically miserable or dying?
Or is it the insurance companies that have gotten in between us and our providers, increasing the costs of service and medicines, by taking an absorbent share?
Do we factor in the Medicare, Medicaid provisions and non payers, as a source of increased prices, because of their discounted and written off income sources?
Is it the specialized facilities, medicines, equipment and cost of training the professionals of the field?
Could it be all of the above?
I see that there are realistically many causes for increased costs, for which the government is one of the least. The quality of professional education, research, technology, equipment and supplies has to be high in a field dealing with the survival of our bodies. I'd say the recent increases in the past several decades mainly come from insurance companies and supplies providers.
I never said we need to eliminate litigation. Problem is, there are risks any time a procedure is done. It isn't always anyone's fault, but anytime something goes wrong, the chances are high to get a payoff.
Everything you mention in your post is part of the supply side of the supply/demand concept. That's why I listed that first. But please don't minimize the affect of government on medical costs. It adds an enormous amount to medical costs. In fact, government adds to the costs of the things you mention so not only does government have it's own effects, it affects supply and demand.
How does government drive up the cost, so much> tort reform legislation, taxes, regulations, FDA research costs, reducing payments for socialized medicine?
The reason I posted this poll, was in light of how could Obamacare be improved or even changed?
Improved?
Bad law. Eliminate it.
How does government drive up the cost, so much> tort reform legislation, taxes, regulations, FDA research costs, reducing payments for socialized medicine?
The reason I posted this poll, was in light of how could Obamacare be improved or even changed?
What do you think, caused the Medical costs to become so astronomical?
Was it the nature of capitalism to extract as much profit from the value of a product, as possible. And of course, what amount would we not pay to be healthy? Is capitalism of this sort, taking an unfair advantage of our desire to not be physically miserable or dying?
Or is it the insurance companies that have gotten in between us and our providers, increasing the costs of service and medicines, by taking an absorbent share?
Do we factor in the Medicare, Medicaid provisions and non payers, as a source of increased prices, because of their discounted and written off income sources?
Is it the specialized facilities, medicines, equipment and cost of training the professionals of the field?
Could it be all of the above?
What do you think, caused the Medical costs to become so astronomical?
Was it the nature of capitalism to extract as much profit from the value of a product, as possible. And of course, what amount would we not pay to be healthy? Is capitalism of this sort, taking an unfair advantage of our desire to not be physically miserable or dying?
Or is it the insurance companies that have gotten in between us and our providers, increasing the costs of service and medicines, by taking an absorbent share?
Do we factor in the Medicare, Medicaid provisions and non payers, as a source of increased prices, because of their discounted and written off income sources?
Is it the specialized facilities, medicines, equipment and cost of training the professionals of the field?
Could it be all of the above?
All of the above. Although a good portion of it has to do, I think, with the cost of malpractice insurance as well.
I used to date an orthopedic surgeon and the cost of malpractice insurance caused fees for services to sky rocket.
Also...just the experience I've had with major surgery expenses and portions billed to my blue cross and blue shield as compared to how much was "written off" by the hospital, surgeons, etc...is telling.
It's been that insurance companies inflate their costs so insurance companies wind up paying more.
Go to the emergency room sometime and tell them you have no insurance. Suddenly you get a much better cost than if they billed your insurance.
All of the above. Although a good portion of it has to do, I think, with the cost of malpractice insurance as well.
I used to date an orthopedic surgeon and the cost of malpractice insurance caused fees for services to sky rocket.
Also...just the experience I've had with major surgery expenses and portions billed to my blue cross and blue shield as compared to how much was "written off" by the hospital, surgeons, etc...is telling.
It's been that insurance companies inflate their costs so insurance companies wind up paying more.
Go to the emergency room sometime and tell them you have no insurance. Suddenly you get a much better cost than if they billed your insurance.
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
Do you accept cookies and these technologies?
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
Do you accept cookies and these technologies?