Tuesday, May 9, 2017

The Inevitable Change

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Before the United States Government became involved in providing a social safety net for its citizens we had affordable healthcare, just not too much of it, and its quality was somewhat spotty.  Those who could afford it got the best doctors and medical care of the day.  Those who couldn’t; got whatever was left over.

We are on the verge of returning to that model.  We see it springing up before our very eyes.  Heck, there was even a TV show about it.

As we move towards nationalized medicine, in the form of a single payer system there will be greater incentive for the best doctors to limit their patient load to those who can best afford them.  They are, as we speak, beginning to form concierge type practices where they take no insurance, but charge a monthly enrollment fee for their services.  It makes great financial sense for them.  It reduces their overhead regarding government reporting and oversight, it makes accounting for profit and loss easier, and it gives them greater control over their clientele.  For those who can’t afford these plans; they will get whatever is left over.

Those who favor a single payer system cite places like Canada, the United Kingdom, and countries in Europe as examples of how successful single payer systems are.  They never mention the waiting lines for operations, the limits on Government approved care, or the inevitable choices large systems have to make when the funding runs out.   

By the way, all the famous voices we hear pushing for this universal healthcare system seem to fall within the 1%.  The very people who will have their own private doctors, who will not be forced to use the system they demand for the rest.

As the ACA is allowed to die from lack of funding, and due to the partisan infighting the AHCA fails to replace it, we will see millions of Americans return to rolls of the uninsured.  Some will find a private clinic they can afford, but most will not. 

Keep those vitriolic chants coming, encourage your Senators and Representatives to remain partisan.   Change is inevitable, and you are working hard to make sure it is not affordable or positive.

3 comments:

Colin Osborne said...

"By the way, all the famous voices we hear pushing for this universal healthcare system seem to fall within the 1%"

That's not really a fair criticism, since being in the 1% is generally a prerequisite for having a national voice.

John said...

I disagree. It is not relevant to having or not having a national voice.

It is a hypocritical position if you argue for a system you will not use. It is the same argument made when the Congress passes a law and waives or exempts their participation (e.g. ACA).

In fact, this carries the same argument made by progressives as they condemned the Republicans for their passage of the ACHA. The only problem is the House has voted to include themselves in the ACHA.

EMax said...

Agree with you John that any government system will have problems in providing service to the people when they need it. It always comes down to money. The Government system will always find abuses and increased prices, whereas a private system tends to manage itself and keep costs in perspective because competition will drive the abusers out. Maybe we can just let Planned Parenthood run all healthcare facilities across the country, including emergency care etc.

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