Some quotes from Paul Krugman; New York Times columnist. These came from his column on April 11th.
“…America does face a real crisis - but it's in health care, not Social Security.
Well-informed business executives agree. A recent survey of chief financial officers at major corporations found that 65 percent regard immediate action on health care costs as "very important." Only 31 percent said the same about Social Security reform.”
He goes on to say that health care costs are driven by innovation. That the range of things that modern medicine can do is increasing. I’m sure that has something to do with it, but it isn’t the biggest factor as I see it. He adds this about the health insurance crisis.
“First, America's traditional private health insurance system, in which workers get coverage through their employers, is unraveling. The Kaiser Family Foundation estimates that in 2004 there were at least five million fewer jobs with health insurance than in 2001. And health care costs have become a major burden on those businesses that continue to provide insurance coverage: General Motors now spends about $1,500 on health care for every car it produces.”
And why is it unraveling? Why is it so expensive? Greed, of course. It’s the one thing that those in the business of health care will never admit to.
“Finally, the U.S. health care system is wildly inefficient. Americans tend to believe that we have the best health care system in the world. (I've encountered members of the journalistic elite who flatly refuse to believe that France ranks much better on most measures of health care quality than the United States.) But it isn't true. We spend far more per person on health care than any other country - 75 percent more than Canada or France - yet rank near the bottom among industrial countries in indicators from life expectancy to infant mortality.” (Emphasis mine)
We spend all of this money and it’s of no consequence when it comes to quality of care…so who gets all of the money and why aren’t they responsible? Who is watching out for your interests? Do you think it’s your insurance company, if you have one? How about the doctor? After all, he is the CEO of his own corporate entity and must make an accounting to the shareholder, himself. If it’s not one of these people, it must be you. And are you capable of watching over your own interests at a time when you are emotionally stretched?
“The fact is that in health care, the private sector is often bloated and bureaucratic, while some government agencies - notably the Veterans Administration system - are lean and efficient. In health care, competition and personal choice can and do lead to higher costs and lower quality. The United States has the most privatized, competitive health system in the advanced world; it also has by far the highest costs, and close to the worst results.”
Notice that he qualifies the statement with a “some”.
And what about you? Do you want Social Security reform or do you think it might make more sense to have your representatives working on a solution to the health care crisis, a very real crisis?
I agree the Health Care system is a mess. I have been talking with alot of doctors over the last week. There are some really human doctors let me tell you. They skirt around the system to help their patients.
ReplyDeleteWe have to seperate Health care from employment. It is not Henry Ford's early 20th century America. That system has to end.
I don't know where the idea that the VA runs a lean and efficient opperation. I would say go talk to my dad, grandfather, four uncles and step father. Atleast if the Health care problem melts down the social security issue will be moot. Hey maybe that's the politicians answer.