Comments on: The Dutch Version of Managed Competition http://healthblog.ncpa.org/the-dutch-version-of-managed-competition/ Health Care Policy and Reform Insights | NCPA Sun, 12 Feb 2012 00:03:44 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: John R. Graham http://healthblog.ncpa.org/the-dutch-version-of-managed-competition/comment-page-1/#comment-48350 John R. Graham Mon, 16 Nov 2009 20:28:02 +0000 http://www.john-goodman-blog.com/?p=6814#comment-48350 I think if we were to risk over-generalization, we might say that Dutch health care looks somewhat like Medicare Advantage. I've noted it before, but the Commonwealth Fund had a good paper on the Netherlands and Sweden recently (http://tinyurl.com/n9lcrz). If I were to take a marginally pro-Dutch side of the discussion, I would say that it is good that they are getting out of the business of fixing prices of medical goods and services. Only 25% of American Medicare beneficiaries are in MA plans, which can contract with providers, so the Dutch system (for seniors at least) may soon approximate a more free market than U.S. Medicare. I think if we were to risk over-generalization, we might say that Dutch health care looks somewhat like Medicare Advantage. I’ve noted it before, but the Commonwealth Fund had a good paper on the Netherlands and Sweden recently (http://tinyurl.com/n9lcrz).

If I were to take a marginally pro-Dutch side of the discussion, I would say that it is good that they are getting out of the business of fixing prices of medical goods and services. Only 25% of American Medicare beneficiaries are in MA plans, which can contract with providers, so the Dutch system (for seniors at least) may soon approximate a more free market than U.S. Medicare.

]]> By: Devon Herrick http://healthblog.ncpa.org/the-dutch-version-of-managed-competition/comment-page-1/#comment-48344 Devon Herrick Mon, 16 Nov 2009 18:55:38 +0000 http://www.john-goodman-blog.com/?p=6814#comment-48344 The Dutch like to believe they have the best health care system in the world. But, if the truth be known, they have good genes. The Dutch like to believe they have the best health care system in the world. But, if the truth be known, they have good genes.

]]> By: Neil H. http://healthblog.ncpa.org/the-dutch-version-of-managed-competition/comment-page-1/#comment-48337 Neil H. Mon, 16 Nov 2009 17:00:42 +0000 http://www.john-goodman-blog.com/?p=6814#comment-48337 The question for the health minister is: Why would Mayo want to go to the Netherlands? It would attract all the bad risks, paying only community rated premiums, and would quickly go bankrupt. The question for the health minister is: Why would Mayo want to go to the Netherlands? It would attract all the bad risks, paying only community rated premiums, and would quickly go bankrupt.

]]> By: Linda Gorman http://healthblog.ncpa.org/the-dutch-version-of-managed-competition/comment-page-1/#comment-48334 Linda Gorman Mon, 16 Nov 2009 16:40:35 +0000 http://www.john-goodman-blog.com/?p=6814#comment-48334 The Dutch have at least one major quality problem, a medical culture that sanctions the routine killing of patients. See http://www.weeklystandard.com/Content/Public/Articles/000/000/004/616jszlg.asp and http://www.opinionjournal.com/editorial/feature.html?id=95000390. The latter article, from 2001, points out that more than 10% of the elderly fear that their doctors will kill them. "Many" elderly are said to fear Dutch hospitals for the same reason. The Dutch have at least one major quality problem, a medical culture that sanctions the routine killing of patients. See http://www.weeklystandard.com/Content/Public/Articles/000/000/004/616jszlg.asp and http://www.opinionjournal.com/editorial/feature.html?id=95000390. The latter article, from 2001, points out that more than 10% of the elderly fear that their doctors will kill them. “Many” elderly are said to fear Dutch hospitals for the same reason.

]]> By: Joe S. http://healthblog.ncpa.org/the-dutch-version-of-managed-competition/comment-page-1/#comment-48333 Joe S. Mon, 16 Nov 2009 16:24:49 +0000 http://www.john-goodman-blog.com/?p=6814#comment-48333 As you have pointed out before, John, quality degredation is the Achilles heel of managed competition. As you have pointed out before, John, quality degredation is the Achilles heel of managed competition.

]]> By: Ken http://healthblog.ncpa.org/the-dutch-version-of-managed-competition/comment-page-1/#comment-48331 Ken Mon, 16 Nov 2009 15:20:18 +0000 http://www.john-goodman-blog.com/?p=6814#comment-48331 Sounds like the Dutch have a quality problem. Sounds like the Dutch have a quality problem.

]]> By: Larry C. http://healthblog.ncpa.org/the-dutch-version-of-managed-competition/comment-page-1/#comment-48329 Larry C. Mon, 16 Nov 2009 14:18:48 +0000 http://www.john-goodman-blog.com/?p=6814#comment-48329 I think this is the ideal for the Commonwealth Fund. It may be the most complete example of managed competition in the world. I think this is the ideal for the Commonwealth Fund. It may be the most complete example of managed competition in the world.

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