dreamdancer 0 #1 September 22, 2009 it can't carry on like this... QuoteAS THE fight over US health reform heats up, an analysis has emerged showing that the crippling cost of not changing the existing system will force people's spending on non-medical services to fall even as the country becomes richer overall. Fears over rising costs have been a critical factor in kick-starting the reform debate. The US spends around $7400 per person per year on healthcare, twice the health costs in Canada, the next highest spender. This increase is outstripping the nation's ability to pay. Over the past decade the rise in health spending has been more than 2 percentage points greater than GDP increases. Michael Chernew of Harvard Medical School in Boston and colleagues have calculated the long-term impact of this trend (Health Affairs, DOI: 10.1377/hlthaff.28.5.1253). If healthcare costs continue to grow at this rate, they will consume 150 per cent of the extra wealth that Americans would expect to gain as the economy grows between now and 2050. The latest healthcare reform bill is due to be unveiled in the Senate this week, but there has been little discussion about limiting costs to individuals. Instead the debate has focused on expanding insurance to those who lack coverage, rather than creating publicly funded health insurance. http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg20327265.100-unchecked-healthcare-costs-will-ruin-america.htmlstay away from moving propellers - they bite blue skies from thai sky adventures good solid response-provoking keyboarding Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pirana 0 #2 September 22, 2009 Yes, just as any unchecked cost could ruin anybody or any nation. Problematic in health care costs is that they were hidden behind employer and government subsidies for decades. Very few were aware, or even had any need to be aware of the true costs. In the 80's and 90's when the cost of care truly exploded with increases hitting 30% or more per year, all of a sudden it's a disaster in the making. I remember when my brother-in-law started whining because his employer was going to start making him pay $90 per month for his coverage. He had no idea that was only 10% of his actual premium." . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rhys 0 #3 September 22, 2009 QuoteI remember when my brother-in-law started whining because his employer was going to start making him pay $90 per month for his coverage. He had no idea that was only 10% of his actual premium. Ther you go, imagine if all the money thrown in the pot, stayed in the pot. Insurance companies could not gove a shit about thier customers, it is the customers' money they want."When the power of love overcomes the love of power, then the world will see peace." - 'Jimi' Hendrix Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rehmwa 2 #4 September 22, 2009 QuoteInsurance companies could not gove a shit about thier customers, it is the customers' money they want. and customers could not 'gove' a shit about 'thier' insurance companies, it is the companies' services they want good thing these two incredibly selfish motivations can balance against each other to create a fluid market ... Driving is a one dimensional activity - a monkey can do it - being proud of your driving abilities is like being proud of being able to put on pants Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dreamdancer 0 #5 September 22, 2009 QuoteQuoteInsurance companies could not gove a shit about thier customers, it is the customers' money they want. and customers could not 'gove' a shit about 'thier' insurance companies, it is the companies' services they want good thing these two incredibly selfish motivations can balance against each other to create a fluid market so why is the cost to the us customer twice that of its nearest national competitor?stay away from moving propellers - they bite blue skies from thai sky adventures good solid response-provoking keyboarding Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dsandreas 0 #6 September 23, 2009 Well...that is easy. One is defensive medicine due to lack of tort reform. Two is state mandates and the fact insurance companies can not compete across state lines. Three...our health care is more than twice as good as other countries. Next question? Quote so why is the cost to the us customer twice that of its nearest national competitor? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites dreamdancer 0 #7 September 23, 2009 Quote Well...that is easy. One is defensive medicine due to lack of tort reform. Two is state mandates and the fact insurance companies can not compete across state lines. Three...our health care is more than twice as good as other countries. Next question? Quote so why is the cost to the us customer twice that of its nearest national competitor? nope - try again stay away from moving propellers - they bite blue skies from thai sky adventures good solid response-provoking keyboarding Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites mnealtx 0 #8 September 23, 2009 Quote Quote Well...that is easy. One is defensive medicine due to lack of tort reform. Two is state mandates and the fact insurance companies can not compete across state lines. Three...our health care is more than twice as good as other countries. Next question? Quote so why is the cost to the us customer twice that of its nearest national competitor? nope - try again Prove him false. Here's a little light reading for you while you search alternatereality.net for your next rebuttal.Mike I love you, Shannon and Jim. POPS 9708 , SCR 14706 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Join the conversation You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account. Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible. Reply to this topic... × Pasted as rich text. Paste as plain text instead Only 75 emoji are allowed. × Your link has been automatically embedded. Display as a link instead × Your previous content has been restored. Clear editor × You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL. Insert image from URL × Desktop Tablet Phone Submit Reply 0
dreamdancer 0 #7 September 23, 2009 Quote Well...that is easy. One is defensive medicine due to lack of tort reform. Two is state mandates and the fact insurance companies can not compete across state lines. Three...our health care is more than twice as good as other countries. Next question? Quote so why is the cost to the us customer twice that of its nearest national competitor? nope - try again stay away from moving propellers - they bite blue skies from thai sky adventures good solid response-provoking keyboarding Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mnealtx 0 #8 September 23, 2009 Quote Quote Well...that is easy. One is defensive medicine due to lack of tort reform. Two is state mandates and the fact insurance companies can not compete across state lines. Three...our health care is more than twice as good as other countries. Next question? Quote so why is the cost to the us customer twice that of its nearest national competitor? nope - try again Prove him false. Here's a little light reading for you while you search alternatereality.net for your next rebuttal.Mike I love you, Shannon and Jim. POPS 9708 , SCR 14706 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
