Comments on: Will More Bike Paths Lower Health Care Costs?

By: Bruce

Bruce — Sat, 10 Apr 2010 11:53:56 +0000

One more thought: Spending money on bike paths will probably be more productive and less harmful to health than spending it on comparative effectiveness research.

By: Bruce

Bruce — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 21:02:46 +0000

The answer to your question is: no, is this a joke?

By: Virginia

Virginia — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 15:42:46 +0000

I agree with Joe. The message isn’t really about controlling costs. It’s about planning the American way of life to suit their own ideals.

By: Joe S.

Joe S. — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 15:22:14 +0000

In the nanny state, the government organizes your entire life. This isn’t about health care or about controlling costs. This is about controlling people.

By: Larry C.

Larry C. — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 15:04:55 +0000

Will bike paths lower health care costs. Not if you count the cost of the paths as health care spending. I can’t believe anyone is taking this seriously.

By: Tom H.

Tom H. — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 14:49:15 +0000

John, when you are engaged in deadpan humor, you always show a sraight face.

By: Devon Herrick

Devon Herrick — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 14:41:52 +0000

Only a handful of preventive services actually saves money. The vast majority cost more than they save — or they shift medical costs to a future period. After all, mortality is 100% in the long run.

I also fear mandating “preventive services” with no cost-sharing will cause a huge escalation in the number and cost of services deemed preventive. When something is free there is a powerful incentive, both on the part of providers and patients, to over-consume it.

New bike paths will be used primarily by people who are already motivated to walk or ride. I doubt if any overweight people will be induced to give up Big Macs for walking because calorie disclosure and bike paths.