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NPR - The Costs of Health Care, Political and Financial

formerroadie

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Maggie Maher was on NPR today talking about money and the health care business. It is a great listen. I highly recommend it and await your comments:

The Costs Of Health Care, Political And Financial : NPR

Here's the blurb

Century Foundation fellow Maggie Mahar is the author of Money-Driven Medicine: The Real Reason Healthcare Costs So Much, published in 2006.

A former financial journalist for Institutional Investor, The New York Times, Barron's and Bloomberg, Mahar writes the Healthbeat blog, a Century Foundation project. She has also contributed to Dartmouth Medicine, covering Medicare spending and the possibility of reform.

Money-Driven Medicine argues that, over the past century, the history of U.S. health care has been shaped by corporate interests' gradual encroachment on physician autonomy. According to Mahar, this has produced a system of costly and inefficient competition among providers, leaving Americans worse off than citizens of other industrialized nations.
 
These conclusions do not match the fact that people from all over the world come here for treatment.
Are the changes needed? Yes but draconian measures being rushed through and forced on the Nation using fear tactics and lies is not a logical way to approach any solution to any problem ever.
A great number of the problems involving costs come from frivolous litigation driving the need for more testing, and extremely high malpractice insurance premiums. A lot of this could be cured by limiting the amount of judgments and by a reduction in premiums with caps. Most of this will never happen because there are too many lawyers in office to allow the truly needed reforms.

Lastly NEVER EVER BELIEVE what you hear on or read from the National Propaganda Radio (NPR) people or those they use to promote their extremely Leftist Liberal agenda. You can watch programs that are strictly for entertainment but that's all.
 
A quick google resulted in:

[ame=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Liberal_think_tanks]Category:Liberal think tanks - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia[/ame]

Mission

The Century Foundations describes its mission as explaining and analyzing public issues in plain language, providing facts and opinions about the strengths and weaknesses of different policy strategies, and developing and calling attention to distinctive ideas that have been demonstrated to work as policy solutions to the nation’s problems.
The Foundation covers many areas of public policy, but recently it has focused particularly on four basic challenges:
persistent economic inequality combined with the shift to American households of financial risks previously borne by employers and government
the aging of the population
preventing and responding to terrorism while preserving civil liberties
restoring America’s international credibility as an effective and cooperative leader in responding to global security and economic dangers
The Century Foundation produces work on issues such as Social Security and pensions, health care, education, tax and budget policy, homeland security, immigration, election reform, international terrorism, the U.S. relationship with the United Nations and other multilateral institutions, and policies toward regions such as the Middle East and East Asia. [7]
[ame=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Century_Foundation]The Century Foundation - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia[/ame]


Basically a think tank dedicated to finding ways to better enable government to "help" people.

Thanks for the interesting read, but after reading your link and doing a little checking around, I really cannot find myself to agree with this woman, her conclusion, or the aims of her group. Any organization that promotes Government taking over our lives is one I haven't much time or use to listen too.
 
These conclusions do not match the fact that people from all over the world come here for treatment.
.

And people come from all over the world for treatment in France, Germany, Spain, the UK, and many other countries with a UHC/Private hospital hybrid system. It is another flawed argument to stick with a very flawed and expensive healthcare system.
 
And people come from all over the world for treatment in France, Germany, Spain, the UK, and many other countries with a UHC/Private hospital hybrid system. It is another flawed argument to stick with a very flawed and expensive healthcare system.

The flaw is in your attempt to to respond to something that was not said. It's a well worn tactic of Liberals and others. It is called the straw man tactic. You quote only a part of what I said then respond to something I never came close to saying. If your want to pretend to be intelligent at least respond to what was actually said.

I said.
Are the changes needed? Yes but draconian measures being rushed through and forced on the Nation using fear tactics and lies is not a logical way to approach any solution to any problem ever.
A great number of the problems involving costs come from frivolous litigation driving the need for more testing, and extremely high malpractice insurance premiums. A lot of this could be cured by limiting the amount of judgments and by a reduction in premiums with caps. Most of this will never happen because there are too many lawyers in office to allow the truly needed reforms.
 
I know three doctors personally, two in their id-50s and one that mid-40s, that have stated their intent to retire/change professions if this goes through as is.

All three seem to believe it will ultimately be a watered-down bill that won't have much effect except to endear Democrats to illegal immigrants, and that it will be the first step to toward voting rights to those same illegals.
 
And people come from all over the world for treatment in France, Germany, Spain, the UK, and many other countries with a UHC/Private hospital hybrid system. It is another flawed argument to stick with a very flawed and expensive healthcare system.

How many American retreat to those countries because they can't get medical treatment in the US? I'll tell you how many, zero.
 
Judging by the comments here; I think only the OP bothered to even listen to this. It was quite interesting, thanks for the post.
 
And people come from all over the world for treatment in France, Germany, Spain, the UK, and many other countries with a UHC/Private hospital hybrid system. It is another flawed argument to stick with a very flawed and expensive healthcare system.
The "flaw" here is the assumption that it is right and proper for the people of a country to be held respobonsible for providing health care to the people of their country.

You want to argue that health care is a right? Fine.

What you and everyone like you fails to address is the fact that having a right does not mean you get to have the means to exercise that right provided to you by others.
 
These conclusions do not match the fact that people from all over the world come here for treatment.
Are the changes needed? Yes but draconian measures being rushed through and forced on the Nation using fear tactics and lies is not a logical way to approach any solution to any problem ever.
A great number of the problems involving costs come from frivolous litigation driving the need for more testing, and extremely high malpractice insurance premiums. A lot of this could be cured by limiting the amount of judgments and by a reduction in premiums with caps. Most of this will never happen because there are too many lawyers in office to allow the truly needed reforms.

Lastly NEVER EVER BELIEVE what you hear on or read from the National Propaganda Radio (NPR) people or those they use to promote their extremely Leftist Liberal agenda. You can watch programs that are strictly for entertainment but that's all.

That "come from all over the world" excuse is weak and stupid. Sorry, but give me a break.
 
Judging by the comments here; I think only the OP bothered to even listen to this. It was quite interesting, thanks for the post.

Your welcome. I found her arguments quite cogent and her research in depth. The right wingers tend to bring out their favorite lines when confronted with facts (i.e. other people come here for care, etc etc).
 
Some statistics state that the last year of life consumes 80% of a persons aggregate medical costs. With this in mind, how are we as a nation going to reduce this obscene price tag?

Secondly, how does the presidents plan address the issue?
 
Some statistics state that the last year of life consumes 80% of a persons aggregate medical costs. With this in mind, how are we as a nation going to reduce this obscene price tag?
Logan's Run.

Secondly, how does the presidents plan address the issue?
Obviously not.
 
Logan's Run.


Obviously not.

I was thinking more of a Soylent Green proposition, you know we can feed the starving to boot :) hmmmm...Soylent Green
 
That "come from all over the world" excuse is weak and stupid. Sorry, but give me a break.

What is wrong with you Granola Liberals can you not read. You pick one item to attack but even there you're wrong we hear news stories all the time of patients coming here for treatment and people in the UK and Canada have to wait months for simple treatment. Canadians come here in droves for treatment because of the rationing of care there.
The other thing you over looked because you're part of the I hate America Obama disciples is that I clearly said the system needs to be fixed.
 
These conclusions do not match the fact that people from all over the world come here for treatment.
Are the changes needed? Yes but draconian measures being rushed through and forced on the Nation using fear tactics and lies is not a logical way to approach any solution to any problem ever.
A great number of the problems involving costs come from frivolous litigation driving the need for more testing, and extremely high malpractice insurance premiums. A lot of this could be cured by limiting the amount of judgments and by a reduction in premiums with caps. Most of this will never happen because there are too many lawyers in office to allow the truly needed reforms.

Lastly NEVER EVER BELIEVE what you hear on or read from the National Propaganda Radio (NPR) people or those they use to promote their extremely Leftist Liberal agenda. You can watch programs that are strictly for entertainment but that's all.


yea people from all over the world go to India as well for treatment....
 
What is wrong with you Granola Liberals can you not read. You pick one item to attack but even there you're wrong we hear news stories all the time of patients coming here for treatment and people in the UK and Canada have to wait months for simple treatment. Canadians come here in droves for treatment because of the rationing of care there.
The other thing you over looked because you're part of the I hate America Obama disciples is that I clearly said the system needs to be fixed.

My question for you is why do you feel the need to be so dishonest? What does this say about your whole argument when you need to lie so much? Should I then consider your whole point to be completely invalid if you continue to lie so shamelessly? Or is it that you are completely ignorant of the whole debate? I don't know which one, nor do I really care. But allow me one demostration that will shine a light on just how disingenuous your whole argument is:

You prop up the UK and Canada as if this can be compared. You either shamelessly know they can not, or are clueless to the significant differences. Never mind that Canadian and UK representatives have already refuted such claims. That is meaningless, since their system is NATIONALIZED. But I suppose that does not matter does it? You just leave that out, that the system here and their systems are completely different.

But of course, you want to carry on with that theme that government can do nothing good. Funny, anyone catch Bill Kristol last night on the Daily Show:

STEWART: Get this on the record. Bill Kristol said that the government can run a "first class health care system." And a government-run health care system is better than the private health care system.
KRISTOL: I don't know if it's better.
STEWART: You just said that.
KRISTOL: I don't know if it's better.
STEWART: You said it was better! You said it's the best. It's a little more expensive...
KRISTOL: The military needs different kinds of health care...
STEWART: I just want to get this down: "The government runs the best health care."

So, where are the mass of conservatives rushing out to stop this abomination of socialism we call the VA? Tick tock tick tock..still waiting.
 
What is wrong with you Granola Liberals can you not read. You pick one item to attack but even there you're wrong we hear news stories all the time of patients coming here for treatment and people in the UK and Canada have to wait months for simple treatment. Canadians come here in droves for treatment because of the rationing of care there.
The other thing you over looked because you're part of the I hate America Obama disciples is that I clearly said the system needs to be fixed.

Just because Canadian and UK systems have flaws does not mean the American system does not need fixing.

The basic problem with healthcare is that as a society people want to collectively increase social healthcare, but the institutions of the industry are hindering it. Some of these institutions include faulty government policies. Others include lobbies (AMA for example). Others are simply the misaligned incentives produced by a private market.

I think proper government intervention should be coordinating the standardization of electronic medical records, and setting standards for technologies and care that lower costs without lowering quality.

I wonder what people think about breaking some of the restrictions imposed by the AMA. Ease of entry into an industry is crucial for efficient markets, but the AMA lobbies create artificial barriers to entry.
 
Just because Canadian and UK systems have flaws does not mean the American system does not need fixing.

The basic problem with healthcare is that as a society people want to collectively increase social healthcare, but the institutions of the industry are hindering it.
The basic problem with health care is that we have a third-party payer system, where the consumer is insulated from the cost of the goods and services he receives, and so doesn't care about how much things cost.
 
My question for you is why do you feel the need to be so dishonest? What does this say about your whole argument when you need to lie so much? Should I then consider your whole point to be completely invalid if you continue to lie so shamelessly? Or is it that you are completely ignorant of the whole debate? I don't know which one, nor do I really care. But allow me one demostration that will shine a light on just how disingenuous your whole argument is:

You prop up the UK and Canada as if this can be compared. You either shamelessly know they can not, or are clueless to the significant differences. Never mind that Canadian and UK representatives have already refuted such claims. That is meaningless, since their system is NATIONALIZED. But I suppose that does not matter does it? You just leave that out, that the system here and their systems are completely different.

But of course, you want to carry on with that theme that government can do nothing good. Funny, anyone catch Bill Kristol last night on the Daily Show:

STEWART: Get this on the record. Bill Kristol said that the government can run a "first class health care system." And a government-run health care system is better than the private health care system.
KRISTOL: I don't know if it's better.
STEWART: You just said that.
KRISTOL: I don't know if it's better.
STEWART: You said it was better! You said it's the best. It's a little more expensive...
KRISTOL: The military needs different kinds of health care...
STEWART: I just want to get this down: "The government runs the best health care."

So, where are the mass of conservatives rushing out to stop this abomination of socialism we call the VA? Tick tock tick tock..still waiting.

Continue the Obfuscation tactics and name calling and it changes nothing.
Yes I held up the UK and Canada as examples. BAD EXAMPLES are you the typical Granola Liberal that has serious reading comprehension issues because of the poor education system also controlled by Liberals bend on the dumbing down of America.
One again the Granola Liberals ignore that basic argument of my initial post and do their best to make it a personal attack because they lack the intelligence or knowledge to counter a cogent logical suggestion to fix the system I said needed change.
The only thing you got right was people go to India for care, you left out China,and Mexico. None of which are great places compared to our Hospitals and private care.
The next time you throw out your BAIT eat it yourself.
What do the I hate America bunch care about Veterans it was liberals the spit on them coming back from Vietnam, Stop trying to change the subject.
Councilman out!
 
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Why don't we do this. Those that want the current reform can so indicate on our income tax form, and we can accept a higher rate. We can also get all of the outcome of the system. So should we lose our job, be denied coverage, lose coverage, etc.. we will benefit. Along with the cost savings.

Those that oppose can simply mark on their income tax form they do not want this. So they will pay a lower rate. Except they or their family will never be able to take any benefits or coverage from the reform system. If medical bills become a burden, tough s**t. If they lose their jobs, tough s**t. If they are denied coverage, tough s**t. If your 65, go live with your kids, live on the street, or kill yourself, but don't come begging to Medicare.

Hell why stop there. We can do the same with that evil Socialist education system we call public education. Of course when our GDP drops because we do not have enough educated people, we are given the right to tax the s**t out of conservatives to make up for OUR losses in income growth. Oh, and they also can not bitch and moan when we bring in more educated immigrants from China, India, etc.. to make up for the loss in employment pool.

Sorry but I am sick to death of listening to conservatives, most of whom who have sucked at the teat of big government their entire lives complain. Prime example; Phil Gramm the leader in conservative hypocrisy and stupidity. Like when I looked at those moron Tea-Bagger rallies and see that about 99% were of the lower economic classes, I just wanted to vomit at the sight of such stupidity. Well I suppose they could all just home school the kiddies, yeah right. Personally one has never come across my desk, but I can guarantee that we would NEVER even interview a home schooler.
 
What is wrong with you Granola Liberals can you not read. You pick one item to attack but even there you're wrong we hear news stories all the time of patients coming here for treatment and people in the UK and Canada have to wait months for simple treatment. Canadians come here in droves for treatment because of the rationing of care there.
The other thing you over looked because you're part of the I hate America Obama disciples is that I clearly said the system needs to be fixed.

So, when faced with the fact that your argument sucks, you call names. Love it.
 
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Why don't we do this. Those that want the current reform can so indicate on our income tax form, and we can accept a higher rate. We can also get all of the outcome of the system. So should we lose our job, be denied coverage, lose coverage, etc.. we will benefit. Along with the cost savings.

Those that oppose can simply mark on their income tax form they do not want this. So they will pay a lower rate. Except they or their family will never be able to take any benefits or coverage from the reform system. If medical bills become a burden, tough s**t. If they lose their jobs, tough s**t. If they are denied coverage, tough s**t. If your 65, go live with your kids, live on the street, or kill yourself, but don't come begging to Medicare.

Hell why stop there. We can do the same with that evil Socialist education system we call public education. Of course when our GDP drops because we do not have enough educated people, we are given the right to tax the s**t out of conservatives to make up for OUR losses in income growth. Oh, and they also can not bitch and moan when we bring in more educated immigrants from China, India, etc.. to make up for the loss in employment pool.

Sorry but I am sick to death of listening to conservatives, most of whom who have sucked at the teat of big government their entire lives complain. Prime example; Phil Gramm the leader in conservative hypocrisy and stupidity. Like when I looked at those moron Tea-Bagger rallies and see that about 99% were of the lower economic classes, I just wanted to vomit at the sight of such stupidity. Well I suppose they could all just home school the kiddies, yeah right. Personally one has never come across my desk, but I can guarantee that we would NEVER even interview a home schooler.

I am a liberal and will be home schooling my son this next year :). You can interview me :). I doubt I will present the same case as those decrying what they will gladly participate in later ;).

I agree with your post whole heartedly. Isn't it amazing that they bitch and moan about this crap until they need something or something is taken away from them? The teabagger **** was a load of craptastic entertainment. All the crazies came out to play. They especially entertaining in Texas.
 
The basic problem with health care is that we have a third-party payer system, where the consumer is insulated from the cost of the goods and services he receives, and so doesn't care about how much things cost.

thats some of it, but the supply side is also artificially constrained by regulation.
 
The unfortunate truth about the American health care system is that it's almost entirely controlled by a for profit industry (insurance). No average American can easily cover the price tag of health care in America, and thus they rely on health insurance agencies who exert a lot of energy in finding ways to deny claims and coverage. Considering that the U.S. spends more per-capita on health care than any other nation on the planet, the populace shouldn't be experiencing such hassle in receiving care and I feel it's indicative of the fact that the U.S. system is no longer centered around providing care (if it ever was in the first place).
 
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