Posted on 09/05/2009 11:51:38 AM PDT by Son House
The only way a "public plan" can achieve its stated goals is to pay doctors and hospitals less than what private health plans pay for the same services.
Doctors and hospitals in Alaska already lose money on Medicare, and make up for their losses on current government programs by charging everyone with private health care coverage more for the same services.
Current proposals for a "public plan" would place unsustainable financial pressure on doctors and hospitals. Some of the proposals suggest paying providers rates close to that which Medicare currently uses to underpay health care providers. Others suggest "negotiated" payments, but the pressure to suppress provider payments would be hard to resist. Either way, the current problematic situation for patient access to care could well become a crisis.
This issue is illustrated by the experience of the Mayo Clinic, an organization routinely praised by the Obama Administration as an example of health care done right because of that organization's focus on improving patient health rather than on volume of services delivered and billed.
A June 23 Time Magazine article on cost-effective care said: "Last year, Mayo lost $840 million on $1.7 billion in Medicare work. It compensated by charging private insurers a premium for the Mayo name, but (health plans are) starting to balk."
Mayo's CEO Dr. Denis A. Cortese was quoted in the New York Times on March 24, saying:
"Medicare has systematically been underpaying for services." ... If more patients are enrolled in a Medicare-like program, "your very best providers will go out of business or stop seeing patients covered by the government plan."
If the Mayo Clinic, lauded as the best of the best, can't cope with current Medicare payment rates, how could any provider reasonably handle losing more money under a government-run "public plan"?
(Excerpt) Read more at adn.com ...
Liberals are traitors.
It compensated by charging private insurers a premium for the Mayo name, but (health plans are) starting to balk
^
The Evil Insurance Companies are already footing the bill for Medicare being underfunded
That's not the end of it, they charge you even more if you self pay, same with prescription drugs.
Or they should’ve just rolled the patients out on the street when their situation was no longer financially tenable!
Death is far more preferable than loss of profit. Any life is sacred, family values conservative knows this.
If you don't your obviously a Marxist, siding with the communist, planning to install Hugo Chavez as the next leader of the United Regime of Amerika....
“I can’t worry about every under capitalized business” — Hillary Clinton, testifing before congress on the effects of Nationalized Health Care.
^
But Americans can worry about paying for every under capitalized government program
I can’t believe that anyone at all would want to become a physician, given what they have to look forward to.
Essentially, any “public option” amounts to subsidized care being delivered to an ever-increasing number of participants, as more and more plans that operate on a sound fiscal basis are taxed or mandated out of business.
There is not, and never could be, any means by which the “public option” is ever as much as a “break-even” scheme, and it would be probably forbidden by law to generate any kind of profit, as that would be “immoral”.
Ultimately, ALL health care provided through a “public option” will be rationed. First come, first served, no compassionate cuts in line allowed. Doctors and other medical professionals will not accept excessive curbs on their incomes, and altruism alone is not enough of an incentive for a doctor of even modest capablilties, let alone the most competent.
I see the potential growth of a lot of “underground” medical services. And if you thought back ally abortions were a disgrace, just wait. People will pay a LOT for what is considered quackery today, because the alternative simply will not be available in any viable time frame.
I see ObamaCare as a secret plan to remedy the Cayman Island’s financial problems, caused by administration meddling in the financial markets. The highly competent part of the US medical community will set up practice there, and there’ll be a whole new market for medical tourism. There’s no reason the average specialist couldn’t handle it the same way they do now in small western towns, by being in residence a few days a month. A cooperating on-island GP, plus video consultations would be adequate for the rest of the time.
The classic problem with all forms of government wage and fee controls is that talent is fungible. As long as there’s one place in the world where one can benefit from one’s own skills, and, as long as there’s no Berlin wall around America, that other location will be the most successful country on earth.
Leftism: the state of feeling very generous with other people's money, time, and resources.
The Mayo clinic should not be in a position of losing money on Medicare patients. They should be in a position to refuse Medicare patients, who can then either find a place that will take them, or complain to their congressman about reimbursement rates.
So, when 1000’s get the hell out of healthcare what then? Hmmmmm
First come, first served, no compassionate cuts in line allowed.
Democrat Politician come, first served,
market for medical tourism
^
just reading about that today;
http://online.barrons.com/article/SB125211376542588163.html
IN THE PAST THREE MONTHS, THE CREAKY Barron’s staff has replaced a hip, two knees and undergone various nips and tucks. Based on average prices, these cost a total of at least $100,000. But abroad, say in Singapore, the tab would have been about $50,000, including stays in a private room, airfare and a vacation for the patients and their companions. Elsewhere in Asia, medical care is even cheaper. That’s why more U.S. insurers are considering financing treatment for Americans willing to travel abroad.
Two words: TORT REFORM!!!
My sis works for Mayo. She will be retiring in 9 yrs (can’t wait for that).
Recently my Mayo doc quit & it took me 4 monthes to get a new doc. And I only got one because my sis pulled strings & told my new doc that I had PRIVATE insurance. Otherwise I would still not have a doc.
They do not want Medicare/Medicaid patients.
And the sad truth is that Medicare pays a far higher rate than does Medicaid. That explains why hospitals in Medicaid-laden population areas tend to go out of business. They just cannot afford to stay in business.
I would point out to our Congressmen that in DC over the past decade, several hospitals that catered to the Medicaid populations have shut their doors: D.C. General Hospital, Hadley Memorial Hospital, Greater Southeast Hospital, and Columbia Hospital for Women.
That leaves, basically, only ‘research hospitals’ affiliated with university medical schools such as Georgetown, George Washington and Howard. There is also the Washington Hospital Center (research), Providence (RC) and Sibley Memorial (very uptown).
Before pushing this plan Members of Congress might wish to look in their own backyard.
Public option isn’t really an option. Doctor’s are not forced to see Medicaid and Medicare patients. Keep reducing the amount they’re reimbursed and they won’t see any at all, unless they’re forced to.... by a single payer plan.
Those two words are incomprehensible to most liberals since it would benefit hard-working, independent-of-govt individuals.
I heard from someone today on medicaid she has a $1000 deductible???
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.