Quote:
Originally Posted by finnbow
Dubya and a Republican Congress had six years to do something like what you describe and did nothing. For better or worse, Obama took the only model for universal health care that had been successfully passed and implemented at the state level (and coincidentally designed by conservatives) and got it passed on a national basis. The GOP has had ample time to contribute to an improved health care delivery system and have never lifted a finger to do anything (other than Romney in MA, of course).
I'm not a particular fan of Obamacare, but remain convinced that once it gets past its birthing pains it will be at least a slight improvement over the status quo that preceded it.
As for your contention that health care decisions can and should be made by the consumer in a rational economic manner, this presumes that the purchaser of these services is aware of all options; be they doctor, hospital, pharmaceuticals, drug interactions, surgical procedures, efficacy of treatment, rehab and the cost/benefit of all such options. You're fooling yourself if you think you have anywhere near the knowledge to make such informed decisions.
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BS on all points.
Health savings accounts / high deductible health plans were introduced in 2002 legislation, and these plans have been growing in terms of market share and consumer satisfaction ever since. IMHO thesis plans Neec to be expanded.
Obamacare, per my post above, firmly entrenches all of the things that make our current system inefficient and dysfunctional. It's the wrong solution for the challenges the system currently has.
People make informed decisions about their health every day. They choose whether or not to seek treatment, where to go for treatment, and whether or not to follow their doctors orders. People smoke, drink and consume illegal drugs in spite of the best medical advise against such behavior, and every day someone decides to go for a walk or a jog, ride a bike or take an exercise class because of the perceived health benefits. People consult with their docs about all manner of things, and the decision is ultimately theirs about which course of treatment to follow. Most patients with insurance don't, however, often enough ask the question what's the best and
most cost effective course of action.