Time for a National Healthcare Plan? - a conservative Republican's opinion (suspect, Obama)

[GregW]

I see no reason that the entire system of private sector health insurance cannot be replaced at great savings with a mid size box of bureaucrats linked to a sufficiently large computer. Use can be controlled with a reasonable set of co-pay amounts and a rational payment schedule that benefits primary care providers and specialist doctors more than private sector hospital administrators and stockholders. The system could be funded by a surcharge on the federal income tax based on all income from all sources before deductions.

Private sector insurance companies are little more than casinos with very high executive overhead. If these people want to gamble let them buy casinos.

[jmking]

Originally Posted by GregW

I see no reason that the entire system of private sector health insurance cannot be replaced at great savings with a mid size box of bureaucrats linked to a sufficiently large computer. Use can be controlled with a reasonable set of co-pay amounts and a rational payment schedule that benefits primary care providers and specialist doctors more than private sector hospital administrators and stockholders. The system could be funded by a surcharge on the federal income tax based on all income from all sources before deductions.

Private sector insurance companies are little more than casinos with very high executive overhead. If these people want to gamble let them buy casinos.

Agree, or insure cars, but for God's sake not fragile, mortal breathing humans!

[Greatday]

Originally Posted by GregW

I see no reason that the entire system of private sector health insurance cannot be replaced at great savings with a mid size box of bureaucrats linked to a sufficiently large computer. Use can be controlled with a reasonable set of co-pay amounts and a rational payment schedule that benefits primary care providers and specialist doctors more than private sector hospital administrators and stockholders. The system could be funded by a surcharge on the federal income tax based on all income from all sources before deductions.

Private sector insurance companies are little more than casinos with very high executive overhead. If these people want to gamble let them buy casinos.

Those privately owned Hospitals and clinics? Should they be allowed a decent rate of return on their investment(s)?

[EinsteinsGhost]

Originally Posted by Greatday

Those privately owned Hospitals and clinics? Should they be allowed a decent rate of return on their investment(s)?

Since when did insurance companies start owning hospitals and clinics? Would you mind explaining why you like having health insurance companies as the middle men between you and the doctor? What purpose do they serve?

[Greatday]

Originally Posted by EinsteinsGhost

Since when did insurance companies start owning hospitals and clinics? Would you mind explaining why you like having health insurance companies as the middle men between you and the doctor? What purpose do they serve?

Perhaps I wasn't clear.

I am/was talking about hospitals that are privately owned - not by insurance companies, but by corporations that you and I can own stock in?

These are the ones that I am most familiar with.

Again - should these private companies that own the hospitals I describe, be allowed a fair rate of return on their investments?

Or, do you (and others) favor the government taking all of these over?

[jmking]

My understanding is most private owned hospitals are not that good either nor monopolistic hospitals like NOVA hospitals. The best hospitals are university hospitals or teaching hospitals. This is what I was told by several people and has been my experience receiving the best treatment for my wife's relatively rare disease.

[cobolt]

What do the people in MA think about their new state health care plan? I remember reading something on this site about it but it wasn't too favorable. It would be interesting to see how something that is already in practice is doing.

[EinsteinsGhost]

Originally Posted by Greatday

Perhaps I wasn't clear.

I am/was talking about hospitals that are privately owned - not by insurance companies, but by corporations that you and I can own stock in?

These are the ones that I am most familiar with.

Again - should these private companies that own the hospitals I describe, be allowed a fair rate of return on their investments?

Or, do you (and others) favor the government taking all of these over?

Who told you there was a plan for a government takeover? Is that the only plan you've heard of?

[Greatday]

Originally Posted by EinsteinsGhost

Who told you there was a plan for a government takeover? Is that the only plan you've heard of?

Where did I say, or indicate, that there was a "plan" for a government takeover?

My question is and was, do you FAVOR a government takeover of hospitals and clinics.

[Greatday]

Originally Posted by jmking

My understanding is most private owned hospitals are not that good either nor monopolistic hospitals like NOVA hospitals. .

My EXPERIENCE with privately owned hospitals has been extremely good. FAR better than I expected.

My EXPERIENCE with a Government run hospital (VA) was exactly the opposite -