What do we need health insurers for anyway?

[smileyman]

I agree Lon D! There is a ton of waste because they dont have to be an efficient operation like say a private retailer or sole proprietorship business. The medical industry know up front that their services must be purchased and therefore must be subsidized by insurers and govt agencies...

[Particle Man]

Originally Posted by goof2

CNN is running a story today about bills from hospitals with ridiculous charges. One patient was billed $1,000 for a toothbrush, another was charged $140 for a single Tylenol, and another was charged $24 for each alcohol swab during a surgery where almost 50 of them were used. Screwing around trying to regulate the health insurance industry isn't going to fix any of that. Tell me why that happens and correct the problem.

Remember all that crap from, well, not too long ago: government contractors were charging like 20k for a hammer?

Sounds very similar...

[smileyman]

Exact same deal P-man. Can I call you P-man or maybe Mr Particle would be better...

[goof2]

Originally Posted by Particle Man

Remember all that crap from, well, not too long ago: government contractors were charging like 20k for a hammer?

Sounds very similar...

True. The question that raises another question. Did the government actually fix that problem or did they just start handling those matters in a way that doesn't show up on the budget?

[tommymac]

Originally Posted by Particle Man

Remember all that crap from, well, not too long ago: government contractors were charging like 20k for a hammer?

Sounds very similar...

it is to an extent. its paying for all the technology for the latest/greatest medication or diagnostic tool.

Hospitals/clinics are business first and foremost. Whatever costs they incur they will try to pass as much of it on to the patient.

Most hospitals would love to shut down their ER's since theyre a huge drain of resources/money. They cant turn away people with no ins whereas the clinics and other parts of the hospital can.

[Particle Man]

Originally Posted by goof2

True. The question that raises another question. Did the government actually fix that problem or did they just start handling those matters in a way that doesn't show up on the budget?

The second one.

[Amber Lamps]

Originally Posted by smileyman

I agree Lon D! There is a ton of waste because they dont have to be an efficient operation like say a private retailer or sole proprietorship business. The medical industry know up front that their services must be purchased and therefore must be subsidized by insurers and govt agencies...

Not to mention the lack of competition... In Grand Rapids,Mi for example, one company owns almost all of the hospitals and medical clinics. For the most part, all the rest are owned by a second...Hey did you all know that I can edit my posts once they are initially okayed? Hee, hee, hee....

[goof2]

Originally Posted by Particle Man

The second one.

That is the safe bet and would come as no surprise.