The great American experiment has given the world greater choice with higher quality at a lower price than any other system in the history of mankind. I was in Children’s Foot Locker today, and there were polo-type shirts for kids for $4.99 a piece. I could always choose to buy Ralph Lauren’s but probably at a cost of $49.99 a piece. The choice and selection is mine. Our healthcare system, despite being the most responsive in the world as measured by the World Health Organization, does not have much choice. If Pelosi/Kennedy care comes to fruition, we’ll have even less choice (and according to the Congressional Budget Office — higher cost).
So, what do people really want in healthcare? According to a Rasmussen poll released yesterday (the whole poll can be found here):
Sixty-one percent (61%) of voters nationwide say that cost is the biggest health care problem facing the nation today. The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 21% believe the lack of universal health insurance coverage is a bigger problem.
Cost of coverage beats universal coverage by a factor of 3X. Instead of fighting the success of the American experiment (higher quality, more choice, less cost) and implement a government-monopoly, why not move toward transporable Health Savings Accounts? This direction would have the added benefit that it is what people actually want since according to the poll “by a 50% to 35% margin, Americans oppose the creation of a government insurance company to compete with private insurers.”
I would think that this is true.
The problem for many to be able to actually adopt an HSA is being able to take on the costs up front. Or at least the risk of a cost you haven’t been able to save up for and are unable to bear.
They understand it costs less, makes more sense but when you have little extra in your pocket it is easier to pay over time rather than take the risk. Those with high prescription costs are particularly unable to break out of the cycle.
And that is what it is. Breaking out of the cycle when unable to bear any extraordinary expense.
21% believe the lack of universal health insurance coverage is a bigger problem.
… the rest had health insurance 🙂
Charlie,
Deroy Murdock’s most recent article on health care (linked below) makes points similar to those you have been making.
His chief thesis: Don’t demolish the present health system, which can be reformed rather than destroyed and supposedly “rebuilt” by government mandate.
I think he makes sense.
Of course, the problem with the left is as you say; namely, that the left doesn’t want reasoned reform of our health care, but mandated control.
For example, the ultimate goal of the left is government controlled universal health care, not just a “public option” competing with private insurers–a bad precedent historically, as I’ve pointed out in my comments below.
Another columnist (I’ve lost the link to his article in RealClear Politics) pointed out that medical specialists, who help make American medicine so amazing, will be out of work under a universal, one size fits all health plan proposed by the left. With the demise of specialists, the stellar exceptionalism of American medicine may exit to the left (pun intended).
Here’s Murdock’s piece:
http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=Y2ZjMjFkMTc5YjM0YzUwZDY4ZDgxMDE3N2NhNzkzZGQ=
Best,
Fay
Health Care coverage has the potential to save your life or at least make it better. If you do not have health care coverage you face anxiety, possible bankruptcy and illness.
It can be an emotional issue but reform has to be based on concrete evidence and common sense.
http://delawarerepublican.wordpress.com/drtv/ lays out a few thoughts on reform. Doing it right will make a big difference to all Americans, doing it wrong will wreck small businesses and hurt patients.
Too many interest groups are selling out to the Obama administration.
Mike Protack
Martha:
I agree that there is an up front expense for HSA’s (at least, potentially, and so should be dialed into any solution). If we just decided to pre-fund the first year deductible for the 8 million chronically uninsured Americans, it would cost less than $20 billion — sure beats $1 trillion — operating costs would be another $20-30 billion — still beats $1 trillion.
In my company, we pay the deductible into the HSA for the employee, which is cheaper than paying it to Aetna or BCBS. Also, HSA balances can be used if you are laid off to buy temporary insurance during an economic downturn like this.
Blue Cross Blue Shield Association reports that adoption of HDHP/HSA plans are growing at 30% a year. And 19% of large employers are currently offering HDHP/HSA plan arrangements, up from 10% 2 years ago. This number will increase, especially if employers feel confident that HSA’s will remain in existence. However, the Democrats have been trying to shut down HSA’s since the beginning (and in the most recent US House proposals).
If anyone is interested in the cost of an HSA, check out http://www.ehealthinsurance.com/ehi/hsa-health-savings-accounts.ds.
I think people are awakening to the government sponsored takeover of all industries. This is especially true with regards to Healthcare. Americans don’t want the government rationing bodies making their healthcare decisions. They understand inherently that our system is the best in the world but like everything else isn’t perfect. We can tweak it but we need to keep the government out of it and remove it where we can. Otherwise our liberty shrinks as government grows. Americans know that.
Charlie: Do you really believe the market forces directing your consumption of polo shirts and sneakers are the same as those directing you consumption of health care?
Shopping to get a brain tumor cured is the same as looking for polo shirts at the mall? If it costs too much, you just say no?
Healthcare is a physiological need residing at the very bottom of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs right along with breathing and water. Polo shirts and sneakers are more at the very top self-actualization.
If that is your view of the free market, maybe we can turn the air supply over to Wall Street. Encouraging unfettered greed for private profits in healthcare is going to ruin Capitalism for all of us.
Hey Bill:
Do I believe that market forces work in directing health care? Yep. There’s more to it than that, but you don’t actually seem interested in rational, logical discourse as evidenced by your post.
For instance, your second/third paragraph is a false analogy — there is nothing binary about buying shirts or health care services or any other product/service. Did you get that argument from MSNBC?
Also your fourth paragraph regarding “unfettered greed” is the same type of strawman. No where has anyone that I know recommended “unfettered greed” — other than you. Did you hear that from Chris Mathews or Bill Maher?
Hey Charlie:
In 2002 Alan Greenspan referred to the infectous greed of unfettered capitalism as something that could topple American prosperity. That’s what’s ailing healthcare in America.
You’re defending the way it is. I’m calling for sweeping change.
Bill:
Your calling for a government-run monopoly for a system that the World Health Organization ranked the most responsive in the world, where only 3% of the population is chronically uninsured, and whose majority of users are happy with it.
Seems like your well out of the mainstream.
Charlie:
You’re defending the way it is. I’m calling for sweeping change.
It is easy to for us to ignore the misery of others, once they’re just a percentage. 10% unemployed. 15% uninsured. 3% chronically. That’s only 9 million. Not much more than the holocaust.
Mom is dying from untreated diabetes after going bankrupt trying to pay, we offer up some encouraging statistics that she is in a very small percentile.
I don’t think a morally centered President of the United States can ignore millions of suffering Americans like you and I can. I applaud President Obama for fighting this fight.
Charlie, I can’t be “well out of the mainstream”. Everybody I voted for got elected. Everybody I wanted out, got defeated.
I still say you could be a constructive force if you joined the progress movement. The country has work to do.