US Healthcare

[j0hnfars0n]

ANyone know why it's so expensive?

[$]

is it?

[Faramir]

Surprisingly I do believe, per capita, it is more expensive than our own.

One of the reasons, which had been exposed decades ago, is how the HMOs bill for those on government assisted healthcare programs (I think the US has about 40 million people whose healthcare is paid for by the Feds). For instance they might bill $900 for a bed pan that cost them $50.

[j0hnfars0n]

is it?

Yes, it is. Just look at any research on the issue.

But, perhaps I should rephrase my question so as to avoid replies like the above.

Why do so many people in the UN not have health care?

[EdS]

The UN?

You mean the US.

Too expensive for some, for others, they don't qualify for health insurance. The HMO's control everything.

[Vundo Draxon]

The HMO's control everything.

I think that's where most of the problems lie in the American system. It's not the lack of a government monopoly that is the problem, it's the behaviour of the HMO's and insurance companies that fill that power vacuum in the absence of a government monopoly. France, despite its extensive public system, has figured out how to allow some limited private delivery without ending universal access. If they can do that, why can't Canada or the USA?

[j0hnfars0n]

I've heard that insurance companies are mandated to offer bundles of coverage to people. The bundles offer a whole whack of features that the average person does not use or need. And since it's all offered the price of the insurance goes up.

Anyone know if there's any accuracy to that?

[backhoe]

is it?

Yes, it is. Just look at any research on the issue.

But, perhaps I should rephrase my question so as to avoid replies like the above.

Why do so many people in the US not have health care?

<P>I will assume you are basing that question on the "44 million" ( it varies, but that's average ) figure widely used by politicians and their symbiotes in the Media- it is as fraudulent as a three dollar bill:<P><a href="http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1888885/posts"><b>Media Still Using Wrong Number for Uninsured</b></a><P>
<a href="http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1888637/posts"><b>The '47 Million Uninsured' Myth</b></a><P>
<a href="http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1887917/posts"><b>Record Number of Americans Lack Health Insurance </b></a>
<BR><I>Of the 47 million, 13 million are eligible for some form of government assistance but haven't taken the time to apply, 11 million make over $60,000 annually and could afford it but haven't bought insurance and 15 million are illegals. (Source Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, 2004.)</i>

[impimp]

The US system costs more than the Canadian system for the same reason that health care in Canada is more expensive than health care in rural sub-saharan Africa. The US offers services that Canada does not, just as Canada offers services that Africa is not. Because of the element of expanded consumer choice in the US, US health care will ALWAYS be more expensive per capita than Canada's socialized health care.

[Roy Wilson]

ANyone know why it's so expensive?

BS It isnt.

[Meistro]

Regulations, government programs, taxes. It's about as far from a free market system you can get without being owned by the state.

[Meistro]

Also Canada rations healthcare, which brings health costs "down" but of course at a cost that only a power mad politician would be willing to pay. The sad sickness of government is that, unlike the businessman who delights in customers rushing to his shop, the government bureaucrat complains about his extra work load and accuses 'customers' of being 'greedy'. You don't have shortages like we have in Canada on the free market, because supply gravitates to meet demand, and of course the price is much, much cheaper than that of a socialist system.

[j0hnfars0n]

is it?

Yes, it is. Just look at any research on the issue.

But, perhaps I should rephrase my question so as to avoid replies like the above.

Why do so many people in the UN not have health care?

ANyone know why it's so expensive?

BS It isnt.

Thanks for actually taking the time to read the thread before responding.

[j0hnfars0n]

is it?

Yes, it is. Just look at any research on the issue.

But, perhaps I should rephrase my question so as to avoid replies like the above.

Why do so many people in the US not have health care?

<P>I will assume you are basing that question on the "44 million" ( it varies, but that's average ) figure widely used by politicians and their symbiotes in the Media- it is as fraudulent as a three dollar bill:<P><a href="http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1888885/posts"><b>Media Still Using Wrong Number for Uninsured</b></a><P>
<a href="http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1888637/posts"><b>The '47 Million Uninsured' Myth</b></a><P>
<a href="http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1887917/posts"><b>Record Number of Americans Lack Health Insurance </b></a>
<BR><I>Of the 47 million, 13 million are eligible for some form of government assistance but haven't taken the time to apply, 11 million make over $60,000 annually and could afford it but haven't bought insurance and 15 million are illegals. (Source Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, 2004.)</i>

Actally, I've some on-line articles over the past couple of months which state the US spends almost $6k/year on healthcare.
But these numbers of yours are very revealing. I never knew they counted illegals in that total. Nor of the 13 million or the other 11 million. Very interesting.

[j0hnfars0n]

Regulations, government programs, taxes. It's about as far from a free market system you can get without being owned by the state.

I think this is what I'm trying to get at, Meistro. What kind of regulations, government programs, taxes are we taking about? Do you know of any online resources I could research for myself?