Despite the poor shape of the American health system, public preference is the limiting factor in how far we can change the system.
Ezra Klein notes the lessons learned from 1994, saying that there is a status-quo bias, and that people “want more options,” and “don’t want to be forced out of their current arrangements.”
This is one reason why something radical, like a single-payer health system, won’t take off. When you consider that the majority of Americans are happy with their health care plans, reformers need to face the fact that it’s not doctors, hospitals, or the health insurance industry that’s impeding reform efforts.
It’s the people themselves, or as Ezra puts it, “a lot of very bad policy limits are the product of public preferences.”
And it’s refreshingly honest to hear a progressive reformer admit that.
Related posts:
- How health care reform can improve public health
- Health care policy experts versus the public, an obstacle to reform
- Most Americans have health insurance, and what health reform is going to do for them
- The Mayo Clinic opposes a public plan, and the dissonance facing progressive health reformers
- Should a public plan option be part of any health reform initiative?
- The difficulty with radical health reform
- When Big Tobacco halts health care reform
{ 3 comments }
The majority of Americans are happy because they’re not sick. Ask the people who’ve had to deal with health-insurance companies on any significant level and you get a whole ‘nother picture.
Meanwhile, some 60 percent of Americans support single payer.
Most people are happy in Canada and the UK because they aren’t seriously ill also. Being sick sucks no matter what the “system”.
We need to defend the core American value of liberty.
The liberty to NOT buy or participate in prepaid healthcare of any kind if necessity or philosophical beliefs so indicate. How many businesses will not start because of mandated insurance purchase when people don’t have the option of taking the risk of going bare to fund their startup?
The liberty to purchase care at a mutually agreed upon price without distorting price fixing schemes.
The liberty to keep your healthcare strictly between yourself and your doctor without your private affairs being open to anyone else outside that office.
The liberty of doctors to determine their own working conditions and to pursue higher quality standards by voting with their feet when they find a particular system or financial arrangement unsuitable.
The only authentic American Dream is Liberty–not financial security.
This survey was done 18 months ago. I do not believe it is still valid. Since it was done many people have switched to high deductible plans. This switch has only happened in the last 12 months. They are now paying the first $1200 out of their own pocket often. Also the costs of these plans have risen dramatically recently. Also the survey was done before the recession was really here, since then many people have lost their jobs and healthcare. A new survey now would be very different.
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