So, let me explain: my 2020 monthly deduction for Medicare Part B is $462.70. For Medicare Part D IRMAA $70.00. My dental, Rx and supplemental plan (no vision), added to the above, equals approximately $9556.32 a year, not including co-pays and deductibles. In 2018 the Part B IRMAA was $216.70/month, and Medicare Part D IRMAA was $51.40. My dental and Rx plans in the private sector were less expensive in 2019 as well. I am wary of the Medicare Advantage plans so have not taken the bait with the complete private sector coverage dive-in, notwithstanding the glossy ads and promises.
Let's face it. Health care is patterned on religion. It has a catechism, holy men and women in their vestments, a sacred language, sacraments, pilgrimages, exorcisms-- the list goes on and on.
Actually single payer, Medicare for all, Medicare for all who want it, competition with the free market or any system you can come up with will not work because IT'S THE PRICES DUMMY.
Medical is in a special place, what economists call "inelastic demand". So they can raise the price and guess what? You will continue to buy it. Combine that with a near monopoly, you don't like the hospital rates, tough, it's the only one within 100 miles, so you are stuck. Price opacity, just how much is this going to cost? What's the charge at the other doctor's office? Add the monopolies (patent protection) we freely give pharmaceutical companies and we, whether individuals, insurance companies or Uncle Sam, are at their mercy.
We regulate phone companies, power companies, even freaking cable companies precisely because they are monopolies in any given area.
Adam Smith and every other free marketeer recognized that monopolies were a special case where government intervention is not only allowed but necessary. Every other nation mandates cost controls for health care. As we've just seem in the latest budget bill both parties in the USA are wholly owned by the medical industry. Some interesting reading for those interested. https://jamanetwork.com/jou...https://www.healthaffairs.o...https://www.washingtonpost....
Cost containment does definitely have to be part of the solution, and I would not yet conclude it is not possible, albeit politically difficult. Pharma prices for example are on Warren's radar.
Man - I wish we had the best health care system in the world instead of this shitty single payer deal here in Canada. I mean I can see any doctor I want and they can do tests and stuff and I don't get a bill. It's some kind of socialist sorcery I tell ya - sorcery.
My husband is probably paying half that or less, but not dental, vision, etc. I think drugs are included, but he just takes one cheap thing. We go to a dentist in Mexico because we are there much of the year, it is so cheap! A crown was $300 or something like that. Total cost, including the temporary and he got his teeth cleaned too while he was waiting for something. Can't remember what. Our system sucks.
I know it's worse for civilians and that makes me see red because I did not lose the use of several body parts to make American lives worse. They should have better lives than soldiers. What in hell was I fighting for?
He didn't tell you about the Pharma rep and her hot miniskirt that took him to lunch or the "seminar" the company that covered his trip to Hawaii to keep up with the latest products in the industry?
Agreed. I asked my brother the doctor what he thought about psychiatrists who had TMS machines in their practices and whether that was a good/proven therapy. He said be very suspect of a Dr that is making money off having a device or some such and not just doing his doctoring stuff. He said, in general, it smacks of something that is rather unethical. I do remember that particular doc that was hawking his TMS getting all excited about more insurance companies authorizing the treatment. Not excited about helping more people, but excited seeing all the dollar signs dance in front of his eyes. hmmm
Yes. Why don't we analyze every country that's doing a good job of this and then pick the best one and then just do that? This is a child's approach, but why not?
Child's approach? Dunno about that--more like choosing not to reinvent the wheel. Experience from my days in local gubmint: when my fellow councilmembers were twisting themselves into knots trying to 'innovate' a solution, I'd be on the phone with another councillor/mayor/city manager somewhere:"Hey, Bob, how's that ordinance on ____ working for ya?""Pretty good. Few bugs hadda get worked out, but it's doing the job. ""Cool. Can ya shoot me some language?""Coming right atcha."*ding*
Just applying Milton Berle's first principle to public policy: "All comedians steal. Great comedians steal from the best".
So, let me explain: my 2020 monthly deduction for Medicare Part B is $462.70. For Medicare Part D IRMAA $70.00. My dental, Rx and supplemental plan (no vision), added to the above, equals approximately $9556.32 a year, not including co-pays and deductibles. In 2018 the Part B IRMAA was $216.70/month, and Medicare Part D IRMAA was $51.40. My dental and Rx plans in the private sector were less expensive in 2019 as well. I am wary of the Medicare Advantage plans so have not taken the bait with the complete private sector coverage dive-in, notwithstanding the glossy ads and promises.
Every manager on Wonkette is shaking in their boots.
Let's face it. Health care is patterned on religion. It has a catechism, holy men and women in their vestments, a sacred language, sacraments, pilgrimages, exorcisms-- the list goes on and on.
the Mobius strip of scams: doctors and hospital execs like to hobnob in the same spots as hedge fund guys.
Actually single payer, Medicare for all, Medicare for all who want it, competition with the free market or any system you can come up with will not work because IT'S THE PRICES DUMMY.
Medical is in a special place, what economists call "inelastic demand". So they can raise the price and guess what? You will continue to buy it. Combine that with a near monopoly, you don't like the hospital rates, tough, it's the only one within 100 miles, so you are stuck. Price opacity, just how much is this going to cost? What's the charge at the other doctor's office? Add the monopolies (patent protection) we freely give pharmaceutical companies and we, whether individuals, insurance companies or Uncle Sam, are at their mercy.
We regulate phone companies, power companies, even freaking cable companies precisely because they are monopolies in any given area.
Adam Smith and every other free marketeer recognized that monopolies were a special case where government intervention is not only allowed but necessary. Every other nation mandates cost controls for health care. As we've just seem in the latest budget bill both parties in the USA are wholly owned by the medical industry. Some interesting reading for those interested. https://jamanetwork.com/jou...https://www.healthaffairs.o...https://www.washingtonpost....
You'll like this https://www.washingtonpost....
Cost containment does definitely have to be part of the solution, and I would not yet conclude it is not possible, albeit politically difficult. Pharma prices for example are on Warren's radar.
Man - I wish we had the best health care system in the world instead of this shitty single payer deal here in Canada. I mean I can see any doctor I want and they can do tests and stuff and I don't get a bill. It's some kind of socialist sorcery I tell ya - sorcery.
My husband is probably paying half that or less, but not dental, vision, etc. I think drugs are included, but he just takes one cheap thing. We go to a dentist in Mexico because we are there much of the year, it is so cheap! A crown was $300 or something like that. Total cost, including the temporary and he got his teeth cleaned too while he was waiting for something. Can't remember what. Our system sucks.
I know it's worse for civilians and that makes me see red because I did not lose the use of several body parts to make American lives worse. They should have better lives than soldiers. What in hell was I fighting for?
He didn't tell you about the Pharma rep and her hot miniskirt that took him to lunch or the "seminar" the company that covered his trip to Hawaii to keep up with the latest products in the industry?
Agreed. I asked my brother the doctor what he thought about psychiatrists who had TMS machines in their practices and whether that was a good/proven therapy. He said be very suspect of a Dr that is making money off having a device or some such and not just doing his doctoring stuff. He said, in general, it smacks of something that is rather unethical. I do remember that particular doc that was hawking his TMS getting all excited about more insurance companies authorizing the treatment. Not excited about helping more people, but excited seeing all the dollar signs dance in front of his eyes. hmmm
well. I think you can haz because you asked nicely.
Yes. Why don't we analyze every country that's doing a good job of this and then pick the best one and then just do that? This is a child's approach, but why not?
This is not just a Karen but appears to be a Florida Karen, the most fearsome Karen of all.
Child's approach? Dunno about that--more like choosing not to reinvent the wheel. Experience from my days in local gubmint: when my fellow councilmembers were twisting themselves into knots trying to 'innovate' a solution, I'd be on the phone with another councillor/mayor/city manager somewhere:"Hey, Bob, how's that ordinance on ____ working for ya?""Pretty good. Few bugs hadda get worked out, but it's doing the job. ""Cool. Can ya shoot me some language?""Coming right atcha."*ding*
Just applying Milton Berle's first principle to public policy: "All comedians steal. Great comedians steal from the best".