Among the many reasons that healthcare is so expensive in the U.S. is the fact that we have too many CT scanners and other high tech gadgets. Many of these devices are over-utilized in the practice of “defensive medicine”, as physicians try to ward off malpractice lawsuits by ordering expensive tests that really contribute very little to diagnosis or treatment. Many minor medical conditions will spontaneously resolve themselves with no intervention. However, doctors have ceased to trust their clinical judgments unless they have several costly diagnostic exams to back them up.

You are also expressing a fundamental misconception regarding single payer systems. With the exceptions of a few truly Socialist systems (Cuba, the U.K.), the government does not run health care, it simply eliminates the profit driven private insurers by collecting monies and paying for services, thus reducing administrative costs and achieving economies of scale. The problems at Walter Reed are largely attributable to the outsourcing of maintenance to private entities and the fact that VA system is undercapitalized. The only alternating to a single payer system is the preservation of the status quo, a failed patchwork of private insurances that continues to consume a growing percentage of the GDP and denies access to services to around 46 million Americans.

“It also amazes me the way that American citizens are just willing to throw the pharmaceutical industry under the bus. Our market-driven healthcare model encourages the production of newer and better drugs. There is a reason the United States dominates healthcare innovation like no other industry on earth: there is a profit motive in it for pharmaceutical companies.”

I hate to tell you this but you’ve been misinformed, drug companies depend on taxpayer money to survive in the tune of billions, not to mention laws they bought to control the market.

“People who don’t read newspapers are uninformed, people who read newspapers are misinformed.”

Mark Twain

It also amazes me the way that American citizens are just willing to throw the pharmaceutical industry under the bus. Our market-driven healthcare model encourages the production of newer and better drugs. There is a reason the United States dominates healthcare innovation like no other industry on earth: there is a profit motive in it for pharmaceutical companies.

If you have the government start levying price controls, you’re going to see several things:

1) Lower quality of care
2) Less medical innovation
3) Slower delivery of service
4) More apathetic healthcare systems.

Simply step into a VA Hospital and tell me that’s how you want your healthcare to be delivered.

Government mucks EVERYTHING up given the chance.

By the way, the latest figure per the census bureau is 10.3 percent uninsured in MA as of 2006 or 653,000. Interesting how the Connector is low balling it using figures of 350,000 to 400,000. Perhaps this is part of their victory propaganda?

As of July 1, 2007, per a presentation given by Jon Kingsdale, 175,000 residents were enrolled in Connector plans – 105,000 in Care; 70,000 in Choice. I asked him to break the 105,000 out into how many in the $0 premium plans vs plans 2, 3 and 4. His answer: 80 percent/20 percent respectively. Doesn’t sound good to me, escpecially since they are counting on enrollees footing part of the bill.

By the way, at that same presentation, Mr. Kingsdale proclaimed “off the record” that he supports single payer and would love to have it, however, the reason it was never established was the AMA’s objections years ago. While the meeting wasn’t videotaped, about twenty to thirty people witnessed his statement.

I’d like answers to the following:

What he is doing to act on behalf of his support of single payer?

Please explain the difference between single payer and Chapter 58.

How is he educating politicians and the public about single payer?

Since he knows that many people won’t be adequately covered under Chapter 58, why isn’t he working with us to further single payer?

Dear Mr. Williams, Ms Bebinger and ALL READERS,

>Did you know that on top of the insurance premium and whatever rate increase there is a 4% state fee taken out of the premiums paid by people who sign up through the Connector for coverage?

>> It’s in the law – look it up.

Well, let’s see – When you pay for the insurance, the state takes 4%, then the insurance company takes 10 plus %, then your provider’s administrative cost is 30 plus %. So that leaves something like 50% of your hard-earned premium money for actual care.

>Did you know that anyone signing up for a Connector plan, even though they may be paying hundreds in monthly premiums, must sign an aplication that says:

“I understand that if I am aged 55 or older, after I die, Masshealth may be able to get back money from my estate.

more…”

Great points Beth! I like your questions and answers a lot better than Nancy’s.

Chapter 58 has to be one of the biggest con-jobs on the people of Mass. in the history of the Commonwealth.

>Did you know that on top of the insurance premium and whatever rate increase there is a 4% state fee taken out of the premiums paid by people who sign up through the Connector for coverage?

>> It’s in the law – look it up.

Well, let’s see – When you pay for the insurance, the state takes 4%, then the insurance company takes 10 plus %, then your provider’s administrative cost is 30 plus %. So that leaves something like 50% of your hard-earned premium money for actual care.

>Did you know that anyone signing up for a Connector plan, even though they may be paying hundreds in monthly premiums, must sign an aplication that says:

“I understand that if I am aged 55 or older, after I die, Masshealth may be able to get back money from my estate.

I understand that if I or any members of my family are in an accident, or are injured in some other way, and get money from a third party because of that accident or injury, we will need to use that money to repay Masshealth for certain medical services provided, as explained in the Masshealth member booklet.

I also understand that I must tell Masshealth in writing, within 10 days, if I file any insurance claim or lawsuit because of an accident or injury to me or a family member applying for benefits.

I understand that if I or any members of my family are members of Commonwealth Care and we are in an accident, or injured in some other way, and get money from a third party because of that accident or injury, we may need to use that money to repay the Connector or my current health insurer for certain medical services provided, as explained in the Masshealth member booklet.”

>> It’s in the application – look it up: http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=eohhs2terminal&L=5&L0=Home&L1=Consumer&L2=Insurance+(including+MassHealth)&L3=Apply+for+MassHealth+Coverage&L4=Application+Information+Overview&sid=Eeohhs2&b=terminalcontent&f=masshealth_consumer_applicant_application_estaterecovery&csid=Eeohhs2 and http://www.mass.gov/Eeohhs2/docs/masshealth/appforms/mbr.pdf .

>Did you know just how indviduals and employers will be very heavilly penalized (and can be prosecuted) for late or missing payments.

“Such enforcement mechanism may include assessment of interest on the unpaid liability at a rate not to exceed an annual percentage rate of 18 per cent and late fees or penalties at a rate not to exceed 5 per cent per month.”

>> It’s in the law – look it up.

These are just some of the ways that the citizens and employer payers are taking it up the keester in order to comply.

So, when you say, “Universal health insurance is dead if this trend continues.”, please do not think that this is or ever was “universal” or is a favor to anyone but the insurance industry and a select group of upwardly mobile politicians.

Please look deeper than what they are telling you and SPREAD THE WORD.

Universal health insurance is dead if this trend continues.