tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5338679290238780332.post4152066497938299472..comments2023-07-03T11:34:28.299-04:00Comments on EconoBlast: Is Obama Ignorant or Duplicitous?David L. Kendallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16272267770395417058noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5338679290238780332.post-89912529967004662232009-09-01T10:22:58.967-04:002009-09-01T10:22:58.967-04:00If you're looking for an alternative to govern...If you're looking for an alternative to government controlled health care, and upset with insurance companies, read the Friedman article that David has linked in several of his postings.<br /><br />Among the problems I see with the health care industry is that no one actually shops for health care services, and there isn't enough competition among insurance companies or medical providers.<br /><br />In short, health care needs to run more like the free market. Right now no one knows what services cost - most are managed by an employer or by government. People are frustrated because if they hate their insurance provider they feel there's no alternative (because it's tied to a job, or there are no quality competitors in the region you live in). <br /><br />Like it or not, at least we know what drives insurance companies - profit. And, though it would be hard, you could theoretically leave an insurance company (causing them to lose profit).<br /><br />Ask yourself what would "drive" the government... hope?, change?, control?, power?, influence, the "goodness" of their hearts? I think not... it would all be "politics" - which is not something we'll ever be able to manage. If you didn't like it, what would be your recourse... a letter to your congressman? How would one "leave" the government?<br /><br />I think the only way to get the most out of our health care system is to put real consumers in a position to influence price and quality. If there's a role for government it's to facilitate the free market, and perhaps to establish laws that prevent monopolistic behavior by insurers and service providers.<br /><br />-mFiddlinmikehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15768650794360390233noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5338679290238780332.post-46377159690657911442009-09-01T10:19:57.588-04:002009-09-01T10:19:57.588-04:00If you're looking for an alternative to govern...If you're looking for an alternative to government controlled health care, and upset with insurance companies, read the Friedman article that David has linked in several of his postings.<br /><br />Among the problems I see with the health care industry is that no one actually shops for health care services, and there isn't enough competition among insurance companies or medical providers.<br /><br />In short, health care needs to run more like the free market. Right now no one knows what services cost - most are managed by an employer or by government. People are frustrated because if they hate their insurance provider they feel there's no alternative (because it's tied to a job, or there are no quality competitors in the region you live in). <br /><br />Like it or not, at least we know what drives insurance companies - profit. And, though it would be hard, you could theoretically leave an insurance company (causing them to lose profit).<br /><br />Ask yourself what would "drive" the government... hope?, change?, control?, power?, influence, the "goodness" of their hearts? I think not... it would all be "politics" - which is not something we'll ever be able to manage. If you didn't like it, what would be your recourse... a letter to your congressman? How would one "leave" the government?<br /><br />I think the only way to get the most out of our health care system is to put real consumers in a position to influence price and quality. If there's a role for government it's to facilitate the free market, and perhaps to establish laws that prevent monopolistic behavior by insurers and service providers.<br /><br />-mFiddlinmikehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15768650794360390233noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5338679290238780332.post-75146989246388568002009-08-31T14:14:07.758-04:002009-08-31T14:14:07.758-04:00Maybe government controlled healthcare is not the ...Maybe government controlled healthcare is not the way to go. My beef however is with the health insurance companies... what an evil racket they run.<br /><br />I'm not an economic intellectual, but what I do know is this: I do not like paying an institution money to cover something they never end up covering! But instead, try to find as many ways possible to dodge every bill thrown their way.<br /><br />My MRI, which was prep-approved is still in debate with the dirty giant crooks...a.k.a. my health provider. Providers of nothing much but headaches!<br /><br />I also have a pre-existing condition now. If I change jobs will I be screwed out of treatment for 2 years until the "pre-existing" condition clause is met??? (RIDICULOUS.) <br /><br />That's fine if the insurance companies would like to dodge the bills, but I would then also like to decline having the extra salary removed from my paycheck every month to pay the middle man's useless fees.<br /><br />I'm fed up with it! If government healthcare is not the way - please tell me what the "other side's" plan is exactly. What is the alternative plan...because, the current system IS NOT THE WAY.J Kendallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05033546979392468093noreply@blogger.com