Comments on: Doubts about national health care

By: Michael Rack, MD

Michael Rack, MD — Thu, 16 Nov 2006 14:05:00 +0000

“Its called Medicare and it is the best payor with the least “hassle factor.”"
It’s not the best payor. And although it is fairly good about not denying claims, the “hassle factor” in complying with Stark/anti-kickback rules etc is tremendous

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Thu, 16 Nov 2006 13:47:00 +0000

I have no problem with "free" heath care so long as Americans understand:

1. Free medical care isn't.
2. That how much they are directly paying into the system shows up on their tax stubs.
3. We get rid of the illegals.
4. That you can opt out if you want to and use a private doctor/hospital/etc.
5. That health care is strictly rationed (that is to say if you have an otherwise curable disease but you have used too much of your health care ration or the system would benefit too little from treating you -- you do not receive treatment. 70 with diabetes too bad!).

Americans have this idea that everyone is equally worth saving, that some crack whore should get the same treatment as Bill Gates, it's ludicrous. Not everyone can afford the gold standard of care nor can we afford to give everyone the gold standard of care.

By: The Independent Urologist

The Independent Urologist — Wed, 15 Nov 2006 18:48:00 +0000

We already have national health care in the US. Its called Medicare and it is the best payor with the least “hassle factor.” In addition, 45% of health care expenditure goes to administration middle men(billers, claims processors, call centers,etc). A single payor system, whether it is medicare or a commercial payor, would lower the administration costs for most doctors (including me). As regards your mention of rationing, long waits, poor quality care etc; that already occurs daily in the US for the 30+million uninsured and the 100+million under-insured. For us fortunate few with the best of the best insurances, I agree that we have the best system in the world. But I have no doubt that national health insurance would benefit the majority of Americans, including physicians, and it certainly is not likely to happen.