Is Univeral Health Care the answer?????

[janeeyre]

After reading a recent post about differing state requirements for health care, I am wondering how Universal Health Care would work -- like Medicare. More importantly, I do not want the government running my health care. Other than the IRS, the government, by its very nature, is ineffecient and incompetent --- look at Katrini. There must be a better way.

[windsurf]

yes

[kcowan]

So are you agitating to get rid of Medicare?

[haha]

Medicare works well. I never had easier more seamless access to care before went on Medicare.

Ha

[farmerEd]

Quote:

Originally Posted by janeeyre After reading a recent post about differing state requirements for health care, I am wondering how Universal Health Care would work -- like Medicare. More importantly, I do not want the government running my health care. Other than the IRS, the government, by its very nature, is ineffecient and incompetent --- look at Katrini. There must be a better way.

Whats your opinion of the government run military? Also incompetent?

Maybe we should turn over control to a effecient for-profit corporation...like Enron, or Worldcom, or Global Crossing....

[Nords]

Quote:

Originally Posted by OldMcDonald Whats your opinion of the government run military? Also incompetent?

Would you like doctor-patient confidentiality or any other privacy privileges with that?

BTW the doctor would like to see you for your annual physical assessment, smoking-cessation warning, and "responsible use of alcohol" refresher training now.

But you'll only pay $40/month and a $12 copay!

[janeeyre]

Quote:

Originally Posted by OldMcDonald Whats your opinion of the government run military? Also incompetent? Maybe we should turn over control to a effecient for-profit corporation...like Enron, or Worldcom, or Global Crossing....

I thought the Generals ran the military. Are you saying -- Bush, Harry Reid, Nancy P., Cheney.etc. are running the military?? YIKES

[farmerEd]

Quote:

Originally Posted by janeeyre I thought the Generals ran the military. Are you saying -- Bush, Harry Reid, Nancy P., Cheney.etc. are running the military?? YIKES

Are you saying that if we had Universal Coverage that Bush, Harry Reid, Nancy P., Cheney would start seeing patients?

[janeeyre]

How about going to a VA Hospital or Walter Reed for your health care?? There is how the government handles their heroes.

Sorry -- we can go on forever like this and it is unproductive.

I am worrying about politicans meddling in our health care in such a way as to lead to higher and higher cost with less services and longer waits for testing. I'm in favor of a system that expands consumer choice, manageable costs, and allows medical progress to continue.

After folks lose/leave their jobs, they do not want their health care to stop. It is this fear that causes Americans to tell pollsters that they favor UHC. I understand that,however, collectively we should come up with a better system-- maybe mandatory private health care -- not sure.

[Martha]

There are numerous proposals being kicked around, some of which I think have merit.

If we are stuck having insurance companies, then I lean towards favoring Senator Wyden's plan:

http://early-retirement.org/forums/i...2189#msg202189

Not a lot of detailed info from the current presidential candidates yet.

Whatever we do, we have to get our arms around the huge medical cost increases of the past decade.

[farmerEd]

There is a big difference between government run health care facilities, and universal coverage in which everyone gets coverage, but the health care professionals are all private sector employees.

How much of the equipment used by the military (for example) is actually made by the military, probably some but overwelmingly private sector talent produces the equipment and sells it.

Most of the highways in this country are also not built by government employees...private sector companies do the work and I don't have too many complaints about the highways around me.

If the US taxpayers can pay for and get a first class military (run by the government), then the US taxpayers can get a first class health care system too. They just need to demand it, and be willing to pay for it.

Very few people who advocate for universal coverage/single payer system are suggesting that everyone that works in the health care profession would be converted into a govt employee.

I get my health care thru Blue Cross/Blue Shield...never once in 20+ years I have had my policy have I seen a BC/BS employee at any of my doctor's offices. If we had a single payer/universal coverage system I wouldn't expect to see a government employee at my doctors office either.

[sgeeeee]

Quote:

Originally Posted by janeeyre After reading a recent post about differing state requirements for health care, I am wondering how Universal Health Care would work -- like Medicare. More importantly, I do not want the government running my health care. Other than the IRS, the government, by its very nature, is ineffecient and incompetent --- look at Katrini. There must be a better way.

What kind of health care insurance do you have? Do you pay for it or is it provided by another organization?

Just curious.

[Martha]

Quote:

Originally Posted by janeeyre How about going to a VA Hospital . . .?

Lots of changes at the VA over the last few years. Now some say that is where to go for the best care: http://www.nihp.org/

Oh, the National Institute of Health Policy is chaired by Dave Durenberger, a former moderate republican senator.

[haha]

I am reading a very difficult but provocative book by the late economist Hyman Minsky. He says that the all large capital intensive sectors of the US economy are in fact socialized, it is just a socialism to benefit business rather than people. Fascist would be a less careful term.

As he points out, banks won't finance the large fixed investments needed by hospitals, etc, without some guarantee of market power so that prices can be increased to allow enough cash flows to service the debt.

There are many ways market power can be maintained, but government guarantees, myriad government rules and regulations which whatever else they may do also restrict entry of competitors into a market, access to financing implicitly or explicitly guaranteed by some level of government-all play a part.

He feels, as I do, that since we the taxpayers are ultimately on the hook for most of this-that we should have a say in how it is delivered, financed, limited, etc. And maybe what we are willing to pay the executives and even the doctors themselves. Face it; employer paid health insurance is ultimately a tax on the consumer, in that the corporation has no source of funds other than its sales, so its prices must be high enough to pay for whatever health costs it incurs.

That we have 40 million uninsured citizens is a real knock on the intelligence of American voters. Have to climb outside of the box folks!

Ha

[janeeyre]

My insurance is a PPO -Blue Cross Blue Shield --- I worked many years for it and I don't want to give it up. I had a recent breast cancer scare and I wanted the flexibility of multiple opinions so that I could make an informed decision. And I got it and I am grateful for my health insurance. I do not believe I would have the same opportunities under a Universal Plan. When I was in the hospital (Univ of Pa), I met a lady who was staying in a local hotel while she sought health care choices. She was from Ottowa and said that she could afford to seek better health care in a timely manner. Her comments were a cause for alarm to me.

I think everyone has a personal philosophy regarding insurance and health coverage. Mine is -- I want the catastrophic covered. I will pay for the office visits. And most of all, I want to choose. I don't want governmental policies to dictate my options.

[janeeyre]

Although we have a friend that recently had bypass surgery in a VA hospital in Minnesota and he praised his treatment, the VA hospitals have had major problems recently.

http://edition.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS...ary/index.html

[MasterBlaster]

I was just reading the DMV horror story thread.

Anyone that believes in a Universal/single payer healthcare model should read that thread. The DMV-style treatment is what you are asking for.

[d]

A: no.
next question.

[Martha]

Quote:

Originally Posted by janeeyre And most of all, I want to choose.

What choices do you want? Sometimes people talk about choice and I am not sure what they are talking about. Choice in and of itself is not important. Quality is important. Right now we have a system that compensates by procedures, not by quality or outcomes.

Cities with more cardiologists per capita (more choice, easier to see the cardiologist) don't necessarily have better outcomes with heart disease than cities with fewer cardiologists.

Masterblaster, there is a big difference, as OldMcD said, between having government employ the medical personnel versus government reimbursement.

[Martha]

Quote:

Originally Posted by janeeyre Although we have a friend that recently had bypass surgery in a VA hospital in Minnesota and he praised his treatment, the VA hospitals have had major problems recently. http://edition.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS...ary/index.html

Walter Reed is not a VA hospital.