http://healthblog.ncpa.org/opting-out-of-medicare/ Health Care Policy and Reform Insights | NCPA Fri, 25 May 2012 01:28:49 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 http://healthblog.ncpa.org/opting-out-of-medicare/comment-page-1/#comment-41890 HD Carroll Fri, 10 Apr 2009 04:22:55 +0000 http://www.john-goodman-blog.com/?p=2824#comment-41890 Small wonder. All studies point to how much Medicare underpays all providers, not just physicians. In fact, this effective price-setting by the government which is actually taxation without representation, authorization, or responsibility, is the single primary cause of the mess the health care financing system is in today, and the most important thing to correct if we have any chance of reforming the other aspects that need reforming. Why doesn't everyone see that this is the case? Instead, so called health care "expert" after expert refers to the government's deep discounts that can be forced on providers as if it is OK, to be accepted for some reason. It is NOT. There should be NO variation in bottom line effective charges by a provider based upon third party payer relationship of the patient (including private payers, there is no economic or moral justification for favored nation pricing in health care once it is determined to be a "social utility" by the society). Fix this, and many other reforms have a chance at some success. Small wonder. All studies point to how much Medicare underpays all providers, not just physicians. In fact, this effective price-setting by the government which is actually taxation without representation, authorization, or responsibility, is the single primary cause of the mess the health care financing system is in today, and the most important thing to correct if we have any chance of reforming the other aspects that need reforming. Why doesn’t everyone see that this is the case? Instead, so called health care “expert” after expert refers to the government’s deep discounts that can be forced on providers as if it is OK, to be accepted for some reason. It is NOT. There should be NO variation in bottom line effective charges by a provider based upon third party payer relationship of the patient (including private payers, there is no economic or moral justification for favored nation pricing in health care once it is determined to be a “social utility” by the society). Fix this, and many other reforms have a chance at some success.

]]> http://healthblog.ncpa.org/opting-out-of-medicare/comment-page-1/#comment-41883 Stephen C. Thu, 09 Apr 2009 18:03:46 +0000 http://www.john-goodman-blog.com/?p=2824#comment-41883 How much worse is it going to be if Obama's health plan causes 100 million new people to join a Medicare look-a-like plan? See new report out by Lewin. How much worse is it going to be if Obama’s health plan causes 100 million new people to join a Medicare look-a-like plan? See new report out by Lewin.

]]> http://healthblog.ncpa.org/opting-out-of-medicare/comment-page-1/#comment-41879 Ken Thu, 09 Apr 2009 15:03:55 +0000 http://www.john-goodman-blog.com/?p=2824#comment-41879 This is why seniors need an alternative to Medicare. This is why seniors need an alternative to Medicare.

]]> http://healthblog.ncpa.org/opting-out-of-medicare/comment-page-1/#comment-41878 Joe S. Thu, 09 Apr 2009 14:56:46 +0000 http://www.john-goodman-blog.com/?p=2824#comment-41878 Sounds just like Britain. Or Canada. Sounds just like Britain. Or Canada.

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