Re: [Pen-l] broken link at health care folllies

[Carl Dassbach <dassbach@xxxxxxx>]

I agree 100% with the observations made in the first paragraph.

I think the best model for health care is the German system which is NOT 
a single payer system but, as far as I understand it,  based on 
compulsory health insurance through both "public" and private health 
insurance companies.  Cost is divided between employer and employee 
until the employee reaches a certain wage and then the employee must 
bear the entire cost.  The cost of all medical services is fixed by the 
Federal government and providers negotiate with local health insurance 
companies about the rate.  For example, if the providers are located in 
a large town, they may ask the local health insurance companies for 1.5 
times the federally stipulated rate.   
> Michael,
>
> I have two comments about your debate presentation on health care. 
> First, the argument that the uninsured can receive health care at an 
> emergency room is only partially true. If it is truly an emergency 
> most people will receive treatment. However, emergency rooms will not 
> treat people with chronic diseases like diabetes, high blood pressure 
> or asthma unless they are in a crisis. So people without health 
> insurance do not get the same care as people with good insurance. In 
> many cases this lack of health insurance do result in premature death 
> -- think about untreated high blood pressure or diabetes. Emergency 
> rooms do not provide cancer screening like mammograms for people 
> without health insurance. So people without health insurance are much 
> more likely to have cancer detected at a later stage when it is less 
> treatable.  Also there are a lot of people who have insurance but the 
> deductibles and copays are so high that they cannot afford to use 
> their insurance so they wait until there is an emergency. So it is 
> simply a myth that everyone gets health care.
>
> My second point relates to a single payer. I support a single payer 
> system as a first reform. It will save a lot of money on 
> administrative costs and provide millions with access to health 
> insurance. However, single payer is not a panacea. It just solves the 
> financing crisis in our health care system. It will not solve the 
> crisis of fragmented uncoordinated care. This affects even those who 
> have good insurance. As long as the "health care system" is private it 
> will remain as a sick care system.  So I guess I would see single 
> payer as a first step because it socializes the financing system. 
> Ultimately, we will need some sort of a national health care system 
> where the emphasis will be on the social prevention of disease if we 
> are interested in improving people's health, providing high quality 
> treatment for those who need it and controlling cost increases.
>
> Rudy
>
> Michael Perelman wrote:
> > http://michaelperelman.wordpress.com/2008/07/05/healthcare-follieshealthcare-follies/ 
> >
> >
> > It should be ok now.
> >
> >   

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