Third-Party Payer Is The Biggest Problem With Obamacare
Daniel J. Mitchell blogs that government-created third-party payer is the main problem with America's healthcare system -- and made that point well before Obamacare:
Simply stated, people won't be smart consumers and providers won't compete to keep costs low when the vast majority of expenses are paid for either by government programs or by insurance companies.That's why I want to see reforms to Medicare and Medicaid, not only to save money for taxpayers, but also because that's one of the steps that is needed if we want market forces to bring down the cost of healthcare.
Mitchell is also calling for a flat tax -- in part, because it gets rid of the IRS' healthcare exclusion, "ending the distortion that encourages over-insurance."
Mitchell links to this video on third-party payer from the Center for Freedom and Prosperity Foundation:
Note the bit on how market forces are at play in plastic surgery, since that's typically elective, and in Lasik, and how that keeps costs down.
Solved.
Radwaste at July 16, 2012 2:40 AM
That same thing is true in chiropractic and naturopathy - prices were low because they weren't insured. But now in my state, Washington, both are covered by insurance (if the plan is local. my is federal, so only chiropractic is covered.) we'll see what efect that has. So far there doesn't seem to be any, but I can't understand why not.
Jim at July 16, 2012 9:42 AM
I agree with the woman in the video.
I haven't watched the clip yet, I just like the freeze. So I'm considering her thoughts carefully.
Hmm? Me? Oh, I left grade school more than four decades ago. What's your point?
Crid [CridComment at gmail] at July 16, 2012 7:11 PM
I have medical conditions that I have as yet to charge any insurance company for. But my medication is as low as $25 per multiple doses up to $75 per depending on where I go. Take a guess what - I buy the cheaper medicine.
The last time I hit an ER, my co-pay was $75, the charge to the insurance company $475. I f'ed up and didn't pay. ( I was broke). The collectors were coming after me for a $1050. The charge off was $645. I paid $625 and haven't heard from them since.
I want to be responsible, in general, for myself. Since I would get fucked by my employer for trying to carry my own personal health insurance. (i.e. they would still get the $1,xxx discount even if I didn't take the company insurance; but my paying the $1,xxx a month for health insurance is not deductible.) I really have no choice. If they said there was no tax benefit, or you could deduct up to $X off your income taxes, the job insurance would die in a few years.
Jim P. at July 16, 2012 9:19 PM
Obamacare's biggest problem is that it is unconstitutional and immoral.
For all those mouth-breathers who have never read the US Constitution (or much less actually comprehend it), here is an abridged version of the underlying sentiment by our Founders: "Leave us the Fuck alone".
Feebie at July 16, 2012 10:08 PM
You abbreviated it a little too much. It's more "Leave us the Fuck alone, assholes. We're the bosses".
But you are in the ball park. ;-)
Jim P. at July 17, 2012 7:38 PM
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