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#31
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Whats okay about it? What other business would let their customers dictate their prices and then accept only half of the agreed to prices as payment. Now even the insurance companies are holding the medical profession to the same rules imposed by medicare. I meant okay, as in we agree. Um, not so fast. You are being very cras here. The insurance companies are doing what makes sense given the system, and I do not see them as evil. Your jobs example is playing my song though, we need to seperate healthcare and jobs. Evil? No, I wouldn't necessarly impose that description on all of the Insurance companies but there are many which totally deserve the label. They are the tail wagging the dog. I know that the most frustrating thing is watching the insurance companies who could be leading the changes just perpetuate the system, but the people that insurance companies all hire are predisposed to protect the status quo. Its not evil, its tragic. So, you could, if you had paid into a policy for your entire life, have built up enough reserve for at least one stint of heroic medicine to extend your life. This could easily be done for the amount that most workers pay into the system now. Also, if you paid more directly, and were more financially involved in price quality decisions for your care your health cost would be much reduced. Instead, you likely have ZERO involvement even though you are the best person to police it on the scene. True to a limited degree but not entirely. Not entirely, but if you are pooled with others, it will work just fine. 4. State licensing. The licensing system is overly burdensome, driving up costs You got that one right! 5. Tort. Defensive medicine is used because you cannot be allowed as a patient to make decisions based on reasonable outcome expectancies. Also, because you have no financial involvement, you just get ALL the tests. Failure to give a test should not be automatic negligence if its not called for the presented systems, unfortunately, juries expect doctors to be perfect. Now there is a catch-22 of our current system that has the healthcare industry by the preverbial balls. No, you don't just get ALL the tests, in fact if tests are run that are NOT indicated by the diagnosis, you are not going to get paid for them and may find yourself going to jail. On the opposite side, if you don't perform the tests that might have caught a treatable condition, you will find yourself facing a malpractice lawsuit. Doctors are people, their staff consists of people, and people sometimes make mistakes. Nobody, that I know of, is perfect and beyond mistakes. Add to our imperfections, the inability to disassemble the human machine and spec the parts to a blueprint, and you are guaranteed that not all diagnosis will be accurate. The medical industry is working hard to try and overcome these limitations but it is expensive and will be a long time reaching the goals. yep 6. Reverse price competition. Instead of competing on price and value, the present system is a strange maze of over and under payment negotiated without any of the real customers being involved in the negotiation at all. I agree, except on the negotiation part. Too often there is NO negotiation, just imposed rules that often can't be understood even by those who write them. I would challenge you to intrepret the rules for CPT coding and billing. Only the gov can impose rules. Local providers here started a new tactic - throw out the cheapest payor. The patients got letters saying no more using this hospital, they called thier company, the company called the payor, and the payor blinked and raised its payouts. Well, yes and no. The bigger insurance companies are taking on many of the same rules as the medicare and swing almost as much weight. 7. Inability to refuse care. Emergency rooms cannot turn you away for any reason at all. While inability to pay is likely a good restriction, how about we tell you that you are not eligible due to lack of need - GOODBYE. That can't be determined without spending time, money, and physician resources to determine the "need". Catch-22! Not always, and less is still better. There are the patients that use the system too much. They want service, not just a check out. So, check them out, and then tell them they are not an emergency and need to see their doctor. DO NOT TELL THEM WHAT IS WRONG WITH THEM! Think about it. I agree with you but it won't work that way. Some have tried. Or, when you pester the ER all the time, and never pay, we send you away for consistent REFUSAL to pay. It does not fit to our liberal mentality. It will when grandpa is waiting for rationed healthcare. 8. Cost shifting of socialist systems from countries with government healthcare to the US. These systems will begin to fail the day the US forces the pharmaceutical companies into the same situation they force our doctors into. Namely, you must charge the US government covered patients the lowest price you charge anyone, or we throw you in jail. Now, progress in healthcare will virtually cease. Ah, you do show some knowledge of this point. Good. Sorry Sandy, I am not out in any field on this. I am just unwilling to look at the present system and accept it. It sucks. Really, the system we have is outside the stadium and it started with job based health insurance. I would argue that one with you, I feel it started with the Mediare program and state Medicaid has inflicted additional injury to the system. The advent of the HMO's was the final nail in the coffen. Socialist healthcare will not improve the system in the US for anyone except the working poor and stupid. 80% of us will suffer. It won't improve the system for anyone. PERIOD! The working poor and stupid already have better access to healthcare than many of the working middleclass. We likely mean the same working people, those who make just enough not to get aid, but not enough to buy the overpriced non-employer group coverage. YEP! Your question assumes that someone would have no insurance until after they found they had cancer. Of course, no one will sell it to you then. That would be stupid, and wouldn't work. But wait, that's what we have now. Once you spend ALL your money, then you get Uncle Sugar to pay. Thus rewarding lack of financial responsibility. On this we both agree and disagree. I have been self-employed for over 25 years. I bought a good health insurance policy but over that period of time, the costs and coverages of that policy changed. The coverage had to be constantly dropped with a higher and higher deductable untili it became just major medical only. The costs thought, even with dropping coverage rose to over $1500 per month. Alternatives were not existant, nobody would consider coverage for less. I finally had to drop out when they wanted to increase premiums to $1800 per month. That was five years ago and I have no idea what they would want to charge today. And they can do this because you are not a group. Their are groups of self employed banding together now, but if you are already undesirable risk it will be hadr to get in one. I was in a group when this occured. NASE - National Association for Self-Employed. It was worthless. I joined another group and after about eighteen months of paying in, we had a couple of Dr. visits and found out the coverage was worthless and the company was under investigation and went belly up. Damn, I was hoping these companies migh work out. Lastly, your link does not support your statement, and is hardly conclusive at all. No findings were made on quality of care. Also, healthcare is definitely NOT the largest contributor life expectancy. Sanitation, life style, diet, and climate would all beat out health care. Your doctor can add a year or two on average. Better living and genes can add decades. As far as the quality of the healthcare system in the US, it stands second to none. That can easily be seen if you visit any of the major medical centers in the US and check out the patient population for the number of foreign patients who come here for treatment. If our life expectancy is lower, it can be directly attributed to diet and life style. agreed Bob Reed www.kisbuild.r-a-reed-assoc.com (KIS Builders Site) KIS Cruiser in progress...Slow but steady progress.... "Ladies and Gentlemen, take my advice, pull down your pants and Slide on the Ice!" (M.A.S.H. Sidney Freedman) |
#32
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"Dude" wrote in message ... No, the point would be to get the best system, but we will not agree on the best system because I, and many other Americans, would rather die than live under the yoke you would place around our necks. And, you can bet we vote. The "yoke" would be what? Getting better care for less money? Making sure that you and your doctor manage your medical care rather than some clerk without a medical degree pushing paper around an insurance office? The piece of mind that what ever befalls you, your family will not have to give up their shelter, opportunities for education and their financial stability? There is, I suppose, a reason that the rich in Canada go to the US for treatment but the middle class in America flock to Canada to borrow medical cards to get treatment they can't afford in the States and every weekend bus trips are organized for seniors to run across the border to get their perscriptions filled. I live in a fairly remote town of 7,000 only accessable by ferry about 35 miles up the coast from Vancouver BC. In the time since 9/11 we have seen a marked influx of American middle aged people moving here. One guy I met after a brief misunderstanding as to where he could park his 182 ( not my hanger) told me his story as to how he ended up here. Turns out he was employed in an oil company and worked mostly offshore all his life. When it became time to retire he found that his health insurance, because his wife had had bout with shingles, would cost him $2500 a month. That pretty well ate up half his investment income and he decided to hire a retirement consultant to explore other opportunities. She somehow came up with our little community. We became friends and often our conversations drifted to how much the two medical systems differed. He was amazed that his wife's treatment was far better than what she had received at home and there was zero paperwork. And the cost for the both of them? $ 96.00 a month. That $2400 he saves goes into our community and he decides who gets it rather than disappearing into some multi-national black hole. He flies his airplane a lot more now too. Too bad we missed taxing him during his prime working years but you win some you lose some. |
#33
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"Dude" wrote I meant okay, as in we agree. You must have a broadband connection, Dude. Ya' know how I can tell? An eleven meg post, untrimmed, for the above "me too" comment. Some would call that rude, or lazy, or another few choice words, especially if they are on dial-up. Please take the time? -- Jim in NC --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.768 / Virus Database: 515 - Release Date: 9/22/2004 |
#34
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Boy. Damn! If I felt like that, I'd just climb in a hot bath and open my veins, 'cuz Kerry doesn't have a prayer. Rich +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ According to NON_CBS pollsters.... Nearly half the country won't have voted for the November winner. That's a continuing ****load of unhappy campers, no matter who wins. The festering divisions between Americans appear to be growing. If history is any guide, there is no shortage of parallels concerning the feelings of us home folks, what happened long ago and the political snafus of Vietnam. Myself, I don't wish the Bush - Iraq quagmire on anyone. BUT, if anyone deserves ownership of this mess, it's GWB and his gang that can't shoot straight, not the guys/gals in uniform that continue suffering the bullet end of his Iraq folly. Obviously... YMMV. Barnyard BOb -- Anybody seen Robert McNamara? |
#35
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The "yoke" would be what? Government control over life saving services that I would no longer have access too without government approval. Removal of profit driven research (the most likely kind to get results). Getting better care for less money? Only in the short term, long term it would be less for more - Like all other governmnent systems. (social security, welfare, unemployment, pensions, etc.) Making sure that you and your doctor manage your medical care rather than some clerk without a medical degree pushing paper around an insurance office? You will replace a clerk without force of law with one that has that power The piece of mind that what ever befalls you, your family will not have to give up their shelter, opportunities for education and their financial stability? Because they will not have that choice to save me due to rationing? They don't have that choice now because it is often forced. Which I also abhore. There is, I suppose, a reason that the rich in Canada go to the US for treatment but the middle class in America flock to Canada to borrow medical cards to get treatment they can't afford in the States and every weekend bus trips are organized for seniors to run across the border to get their perscriptions filled. I would love to hear about the card thing, but the prescription costs are a ruse. If we go social medicine, either we will continue to subsidize them, or their prices will rise. Either way, medical R&D will likely plummet. I live in a fairly remote town of 7,000 only accessable by ferry about 35 miles up the coast from Vancouver BC. In the time since 9/11 we have seen a marked influx of American middle aged people moving here. Its beautiful there, I am not surprised. One guy I met after a brief misunderstanding as to where he could park his 182 ( not my hanger) told me his story as to how he ended up here. Turns out he was employed in an oil company and worked mostly offshore all his life. When it became time to retire he found that his health insurance, because his wife had had bout with shingles, would cost him $2500 a month. That pretty well ate up half his investment income and he decided to hire a retirement consultant to explore other opportunities. She somehow came up with our little community. We became friends and often our conversations drifted to how much the two medical systems differed. He was amazed that his wife's treatment was far better than what she had received at home and there was zero paperwork. And the cost for the both of them? $ 96.00 a month. That $2400 he saves goes into our community and he decides who gets it rather than disappearing into some multi-national black hole. He flies his airplane a lot more now too. Too bad we missed taxing him during his prime working years but you win some you lose some. Nice anecdote, Beer and Donuts are a popular breakfast in our medical center, both by doctors and patients, eh? |
#36
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Methinks you missed something, and besides its Kb, not Mb.
Even at netzero speeds thats no big deal. "Morgans" wrote in message ... "Dude" wrote I meant okay, as in we agree. You must have a broadband connection, Dude. Ya' know how I can tell? An eleven meg post, untrimmed, for the above "me too" comment. Some would call that rude, or lazy, or another few choice words, especially if they are on dial-up. Please take the time? -- Jim in NC --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.768 / Virus Database: 515 - Release Date: 9/22/2004 |
#37
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The "yoke" would be what? Government control over life saving services that I would no longer have access too without government approval. Yep, when elective procedures are no longer elective and necessary procedures require long waiting periods. Removal of profit driven research (the most likely kind to get results). I must argue the point that profit driven research is the most likely kine to get results. Yes, profit driven research does achieve results, the research going on at our many university hospitals is probably achieving greater results than the profit driven organizations. The bigger issue might be when the government runs the healthcare industry, they must also set the salaries of those in the industry. Just how many of our brightest and most capable future physicians would opt to the medical field if they know that they will be forced to work for whatever the burro-craps decide they should earn? Getting better care for less money? Only in the short term, long term it would be less for more - Like all other governmnent systems. (social security, welfare, unemployment, pensions, etc.) How ANYONE can concieve that it will be BETTER care is beyond me. Just how many of them would want to spend an additional 4-10 years in school, internship, and tens of thousands of dollars to be force to work for the government at government dictated wages. You have got to look beyond the hype at what the long term consequences would be. Making sure that you and your doctor manage your medical care rather than some clerk without a medical degree pushing paper around an insurance office? You will replace a clerk without force of law with one that has that power The piece of mind that what ever befalls you, your family will not have to give up their shelter, opportunities for education and their financial stability? Because they will not have that choice to save me due to rationing? They don't have that choice now because it is often forced. Which I also abhore. There is, I suppose, a reason that the rich in Canada go to the US for treatment but the middle class in America flock to Canada to borrow medical cards to get treatment they can't afford in the States and every weekend bus trips are organized for seniors to run across the border to get their perscriptions filled. I would love to hear about the card thing, but the prescription costs are a ruse. If we go social medicine, either we will continue to subsidize them, or their prices will rise. Either way, medical R&D will likely plummet. I live in a fairly remote town of 7,000 only accessable by ferry about 35 miles up the coast from Vancouver BC. In the time since 9/11 we have seen a marked influx of American middle aged people moving here. Its beautiful there, I am not surprised. Yes, and they better look out now, after four hurricanes in Florida this year, many more may be moving up there. One guy I met after a brief misunderstanding as to where he could park his 182 ( not my hanger) told me his story as to how he ended up here. Turns out he was employed in an oil company and worked mostly offshore all his life. When it became time to retire he found that his health insurance, because his wife had had bout with shingles, would cost him $2500 a month. That pretty well ate up half his investment income and he decided to hire a retirement consultant to explore other opportunities. She somehow came up with our little community. We became friends and often our conversations drifted to how much the two medical systems differed. He was amazed that his wife's treatment was far better than what she had received at home and there was zero paperwork. And the cost for the both of them? $ 96.00 a month. That $2400 he saves goes into our community and he decides who gets it rather than disappearing into some multi-national black hole. He flies his airplane a lot more now too. Too bad we missed taxing him during his prime working years but you win some you lose some. Nice anecdote, Beer and Donuts are a popular breakfast in our medical center, both by doctors and patients, eh? Everybody has a story and all of them would support some view or the other. The grass always appears greener on the other side but such is not always the case. Bob Reed www.kisbuild.r-a-reed-assoc.com (KIS Builders Site) KIS Cruiser in progress...Slow but steady progress.... "Ladies and Gentlemen, take my advice, pull down your pants and Slide on the Ice!" (M.A.S.H. Sidney Freedman) |
#38
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#39
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"Barnyard BOb -" wrote in message
... Where do I get such an opinion? If the govt were in the beer brewing business... a six pack would cost $25 and Uncle Sam would still be losing money. g Mebbe we should privatize national defense? Call 1-800-Rent-An-Army !!! Rich "Be the best you can be - Wackenhut" S. |
#40
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"Barnyard BOb -" wrote in message ... On 27 Sep 2004 14:10:52 GMT, osite (RobertR237) wrote: The bigger issue might be when the government runs the healthcare industry, they must also set the salaries of those in the industry. Just how many of our brightest and most capable future physicians would opt to the medical field if they know that they will be forced to work for whatever the burro-craps decide they should earn? ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Whatz gnu? The HMO's are in effect setting salaries now... and the effects are observable as we speak. If govt takes over, I'd guess salaries and costs would rise while quality of care heads south. Where do I get such an opinion? If the govt were in the beer brewing business... a six pack would cost $25 and Uncle Sam would still be losing money. g You guys wouldn't trust the government with your health care but you'd trust them with prosecuting and running a war that's killing your children? |
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