(no link)
Critics: Health proposals downplay cost of care
Cape Cod Times (Hyannis, MA) - Friday, November 11, 2005
Author: ROBIN LORD
EXCERPT
But Massachusetts Institute of Technology economics professor Jonathan Gruber , who has been an outspoken proponent of the House version of the plan, said his models do not project a huge shift by employers away from their private insurance coverage. And, even if that does happen, it is not necessarily a bad thing, he said.
‘’Insurance is supposed to mean you’re not bankrupted,’’ he said. ‘’Health insurance should not cover all your spending.’’
Gruber agreed that health care costs need to be addressed, but he claimed arguing against the current reform packages on that basis is a case of ‘’perfect being the enemy of good.’’
‘’I agree these plans don’t deal with health care costs in a meaningful way, because we have no clue how to lower health care costs,’’ he said.
‘’Let’s deal with a problem we can solve.’’
Higher out-of-pocket costs could force consumers to pay more attention to the health care they are getting, and thereby lower costs overall, Gruber argued.
Consumers will avoid the health care they do not need, he said.
What a kind hearted rectum, Herr Gruber was/is:
Thanks for posting this.
“EXCERPT
But Massachusetts Institute of Technology economics professor Jonathan Gruber , who has been an outspoken proponent of the House version of the plan, said his models do not project a huge shift by employers away from their private insurance coverage. And, even if that does happen, it is not necessarily a bad thing, he said.
‘’Insurance is supposed to mean you’re not bankrupted,’’ he said. ‘’Health insurance should not cover all your spending.’’
Gruber agreed that health care costs need to be addressed, but he claimed arguing against the current reform packages on that basis is a case of ‘’perfect being the enemy of good.’’
‘’I agree these plans don’t deal with health care costs in a meaningful way, because we have no clue how to lower health care costs,’’ he said.
‘’Let’s deal with a problem we can solve.’’
Higher out-of-pocket costs could force consumers to pay more attention to the health care they are getting, and thereby lower costs overall, Gruber argued.
Consumers will avoid the health care they do not need, he said.”