I was perusing opinion articles on Medscape today and found one that paints a nice (realistically UGLY) picture of our nation's insurance industry. He's Dr. John P. Geyman and you can access the full article and references on Medscape.
Here's what he said:
"The health insurance industry in America is dying. How can that be -- such a powerful, $300 plus-billion industry with so many lobbyists? Here are some benchmarks of its death march:
- Growing unaffordability of premiums, which grew 87% between 2000 and 2006,[1] and are projected to consume one third of family income by 2010 and theoretically all of it by 2025.[2]
- Forty-six million Americans are without health insurance, and at least another 25 million are underinsured.[3]
- Four of 10 Americans are "somewhat" or "completely" unprepared to cope with a costly medical emergency in the coming year.[4]
- The private market now includes less than 60% of employers, and in 2005, only 6% of US employers covered the full cost of family coverage.[5]
- While the insurance market fell by 1% between 2000 and 2005, its work force grew by one third (mostly new employees involved with denial management).[6]"
I'm of the opinion that a drastic change needs to be made, and soon. Obviously what we have is not working, and I am one of the many frustrated providers that has the special privilege of seeing the incredible waste and inefficiency of our health insurance system from the inside.
My question to you, dear readers:
What do you think about a single-payer system for health insurance in America?
Trust me, I've heard arguments on both sides, but I'm increasingly convinced that this may be our nation's way out of its downward spiral. Today I found the Physicians for a National Health Program website and they have a great FAQ page about single-payer systems. [Disclaimer: it is written from a PRO single-payer perspective.] Check it out and see if it answers or addresses some of your doubts or questions.
10 comments:
I am so fully behind such a system that I'm in front of it.
I think that a nationalized health insurance system is a fantastic idea. And think--y'all could stop paying way more than you should for the incredibly expensive care my wife (arthritis) and I (diabetes) receive.
My answer to you, my dear daughter: I don't know enough about it right now to give an opinion. It sounds like something should be done if all the talk I hear about it is true. I just don't know what at this point.
ONE MONTH TIL WEDDING DAY!!!!!
My biggest concern would be excessive governmental manipulation on fee schedules and services. Many safeguards would need to be implemented to prevent the government from abusing total control Insurance in the US. In a government that is founded in checks and balances it would need to be a requirment. Reducing the 30% given to the insurance companies would be a HUGE benefit. Shoot, that would be enough to cover millions of currently uninsured.
My concerns are similar to Kevin's. It is easy to point out the glaring problems with our system, but the other system is not without problems of its own. I spent two years in England and saw the problems and heard the complaints with their system. The general consensus among Americans was to wait until you got home to go to the doctor because of the lower quality of service. I have always understood that the U.S. has the highest quality health care in the world, please correct me if I'm wrong. Because of this, I hesitate to make such a sweeping change. Why not make small adjustments to fix the problems with our system? For example, I think a glaring problem with the medical industry is that they have such high malpractice insurance rates. This is a major barrier to entry for potential competitors (my company was deterred to this industry for that very reason). If we can make it easier for the competition to get into the industry there will be improvements to quality and competition on pricing. Just my $.02.
This is totally off topic, Jamie, but is it true that people who have endometriosis have to have c-sections, they cannot have vaginal deliveries? ~~ auntie"m"
I know you guys are joined at the ear...or at the fintertips on this Saturday night, depending upon which way you're choosing to communicate with each other. But, you know, in case you get bored with each other or...I don't know...upset with each other...Ummm...Not gonna happen. Let me start over. Come see me on my inane blog. I just started it tonight because, well...I'm not sure. Mostly, I'm not joined at the ear or the fingertips with anyone, so I had a little time on my hands while Fred repairs the baseboard and I wait for the dryer to stop. Just, you know...if you get bored or anything.
dointhelaundry.blogspot.com
I had to modify something I said in my last comment.
To repeat the first part: Thank you everyone for your comments. It's interesting to hear your perspectives. Sounds like RD is a staunch supporter and the rest of you are chickens and fence-sitters. JK.
Emmellee: I made an error in my answer to your question that I want to correct. Endometriosis itself is not an indication for C-section. Normally the problem with it is GETTING pregnant, not delivery. The only reason I could think it might be an indication against vaginal delivery is if the person had endometrial tissue and/or a cyst that was somehow blocking the vaginal opening or was on or near the cervix. Otherwise, I don't know why a vaginal birth would be dangerous.
So I will be the first to admit I have alot to still read up on this national dilemna. I am not in favor, firstly. After living in Germany, I came home thankful for the US not being socialized. I have asked other friends who have also lived in various European countries, and they all agree that they were not impressed with the socialized way of doing things. Also, higher pay is going to attract brighter minds. I have learned that where a loved one's health is concerned, people are not willing to cut corners or opt for subpar care. Mistakes are not taken lightly. I believe that the problem is not only in the health insurance side of health care, but includes so much more. Every shift I see so much waste and inefficiency that adds up to thousands of dollars. In the end, I quote a Dr. I heard today..."this would never have been possible in socialized medicine (the pt. is from Italy), they wouldn't have done all of this for her." She came to the hospital on the brink of death and has now made remarkable progress. There really is much more to the story than what supporters or antagonists sometimes admit.
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