Top 5 reasons healthcare in America is broken
Summary: What's wrong with the healhcare system in the U.S.? Insuremonkey.com's CEO Alex Rivlin says the big problem is that we only focus on taking care of the sick people.
Commentary - Here are the Top 5 reasons healthcare in America is broken:
5. Doctors are rewarded for prescribing drugs. Big pharmaceutical companies are known to hand out “consulting agreements” worth more than your annual salary to doctors who prescribe their drugs like candy. And unlike contributions to political candidates, there is no way to track what doctors are considered “top-performers” and receiving the most lavish gifts. This is one of the worst practices I can think of that drives a stake right through the heart of healthcare’s credibility.
4. Big Healthcare, i.e. pharmaceutical companies, hospital networks, insurers and their support industries, spend hundreds of millions each year lobbying Congress to make sure there are not major changes to the business structure we call healthcare. They have a vested interest in keeping things the same (again, see #1) which is good for some and bad for many.
3. Tens of millions of healthy people choose not to pay for health insurance, putting the financial solvency of the system at risk. This leaves those that do pay into the insurance system paying more. The concept of insurance is to spread the cost so that when you need help, you are not buried under steep bills that you could not possibly afford to pay back. So those who opt out are cheating everyone else. Including, probably, their own family and friends.
2. We are killing ourselves. Our choices bring on diabetes, heart-attack-inducing high blood pressure and cholesterol, obesity, chronic illness, and the like. We eat crap. We supersize it. We consider the walk from the parking lot to our office exercise. We only see the doctor when we get sick. Even then, we only listen to the prescribed advice about half the time. And we’re totally aghast at the increasing costs of care when we get really sick.
And the #1 reason healthcare in America is broken...
1. The current system is set up to reward sickness. Doctors get paid when you see them. And you only see them when something’s wrong, right? Hospitals get paid when someone gets injured or is sick. Pharmaceutical companies make outrageous profits when their drugs are prescribed (and they lavish gifts worth more than your annual salary to the doctors who prescribe the most…see #5). Insurance companies take in more money when there are more sick people to cover. Everything revolves around us being sick.
biography
Alex Rivlin is CEO of InsureMonkey
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Talkback
My top 5
1. Illegal aliens are not excluded
2. Congressmen are excluded (remember all the rhetoric about every American deserving the same health coverage that they get?) Do as I say not as I do.
3. It does nothing to ensure private health plans will be able to compete and stay in business
4. It will balloon an already inflated federal deficit by another trillion dollars over the next 10 years (by their own estimation which is always about half of the real cost)
5. It will mean less pay for physicians and that will lead to a shortage just like it has in Canada and the UK. If I am an Indian or Philippine doctor, I will no longer have any incentive to move the the US to practice. I'll just stay home.
2 remarks
Wrong. The shortage of doctors in Canada is not due to low pay. It is due to two factors: (1) The liberal government of some time ago drastically reduced incentives to become doctor. Less influx in medical schools = less output of doctors later (=now); (2) The medical professional associations furiously defend their turf: they have a vested interest in keeping the number of doctors low - and therefore salaries high. Yes, salaries are high.
Blogger: "So those who opt out are cheating everyone else".
Wrong. They make a choice not to consume medical services (except for emergency care); alternatively they pay for it themselves.
Here's why your comlpaints are misguided
2. Congressmen excluded - I'll give you that one. GOod point.
3. Private health plans - if they can't compete they need to go out of business anyway. Its how capitalism works. I thought you right-wingers were all about that - you know.. free market always can do stuff cheaper then government? Well, time to put your money where your mouth is.
4. another trillion over 10 years. OK. Now tell me the expected costs associated with health problems that arise as a result of people NOT being insured. You know what THAT answer is?
Well, "according to the 2007 Milken Institute report, An Unhealthy America: The Economic Burden of Chronic Disease, the implementation of a national effort focused on prevention, early detection and chronic disease management could save the country hundreds of billions annually, with savings surpassing a trillion dollars annually in about 15 years."
(source: http://www.uspreventivemedicine.com/News/Press-Room/USPM-News/U-S--Preventive-Medicine---Healthcare-Savings-More.aspx)
So an extra trillion over the next 10 years compared to a trillion in savings EVERY YEAR. now lets see.. what is 10 x $1,000,000,000. Wheres my calculator again?
THe point here is that you citing the extra costs without also citing the associated cost savings in other areas is naiive, short sighted, and a terrible way to think about the issue.
5. Disincentive to become doctor - this was already responded to by someone more knowlegable then I on this topic so I'll let that argument rest. But you know, there ARE people who actually become doctors because, you know, its their passion and interest, not $$$. People caring about $$$ go to business or law school (or at least they used to, and probably will again in 3-5 when credit markets free up again).
In conclusion, I hope you reconsider your opinion on the issue and do some further research. As it is, you are simply quoting various propaganda that has little basis in logic or fact.
"The views expressed here are mine and do not reflect the official opinion of my employer or the organization through which the Internet was accessed."
Seriously?
3. Private health plans competing with a taxpayer-subsidized plan is NOT "how capitalism works". Seriously?!?
4. You are comparing apples and oranges. The savings can be realized without a public health plan's TRILLION $ burden on American tax payers. And.. don't think that the cost of a public health plan will only be $1T. We are looking at $2T+.
response
2. Well lets see. UPS and FedEx seem to be competing just fine with USPS. Private lenders did just fine vs government lenders. Private schools do just fine vs public schools. Ok that last one is debatable - one offers education but a sheltered environment while the other offers terrible education but is great for developing kids' social skills.
Second, at the moment, privat health plans have effective geographical monopolies. Kinds of like cable companies - sure they have competition, but for the place you work/live, they are usually the only option. For instance, I have zero choice with my health care - I get AEtna cause thats what my employer has. How is that real competition. In fact, a tax-subsidized plan would introduce competition where previously there has been ZERO competition.
4. I don't think I'm comparing apples and oranges at all. Its money that we as a public have to spend. We either pay it little by little into a health plan, or we roll the dice and hope that we aren't the ones that have to dish out the BIG payments for serious illenesses. Its redistributing the losses amongst everyone. The cost savings to our society through preventative medicine are huge, as I mentioned, upwards of a trillion a year. Sure the person paying the taxes may not see the actual savings if they didn't get sick otherwise, so it will benefit some while hurting others, thats for sure. But if we are talking about the good for our country as a whole, you need to look at the total picture of our expenses which is = taxes + personal spending. If taxes increase, but personal spending decreases by vastly greater amount, thats a win for the country as a whole. You may not see that as a worth-while goal, and thats fine. The majority of us do however.
"The views expressed here are mine and do not reflect the official opinion of my employer or the organization through which the Internet was accessed."
Nonsense
I suggest you follow a healthy lifestyle, eat a healthy diet, exercise regularly, get an annual physical, prevent health issues before they begin, explore other ways of treating diseases than pharmaceuticals, and learn to spell.
That's the sad thing about the koolaid drinkers
I'm telling you now, this has nothing to do with Illegal aliens (who should be deported, not insured), or the 2% of the population who are truly uninsured (they are covered now!). This is about a power grab. I never took a handout I didn't earn. Now, I will FORCED to participate in a social program.
Well, I give up
Words from Obama:
If they can't compete, and go under? It's because they couldn't compete with something that doesn't charge 30 cents out of a dollar on overhead. It's THEIR fault that they don't have a viable business plan, not Obama's.
Remember, this is what Free Market is all about. Good products stay, bad companies die.
What a Waste
1. I knew it.... Do you really think issuing driver's licenses to illegals will make them purchase auto insurance???
2. The USPS receives very limited subsidies, which are related to the government/public postal deliveries. Do some homework.
That's it. I'm done.
What damage Obama has already done will catch up with us soon. If a public health plan is also pushed through, we will see the disastrous results even sooner. Either way, I am sure his frivolous spending will catch up with us before the next election. That's the only good thing to come out of this. Our children and grand children will pay dearly!
Ignorant and short-sighted
You stated that "the readers" should make the call, well here it is: you failed to respond to valid debate and your points hold no credibility because they lack sources, whereas the other poster clearly indicated their sources and had credible points.
Therefore, you lose.
How Sad
Yep, they'll pay. Oh boy will they pay!
How will they learn anything if they don't have to decide between eating and going to the doctor?!
On illegals
I don't really care, if you are a legal citizen that pays into the tax base and supports the national and local economy then you have every right to access our resources as needed. But if you are here illegally, not paying into the tax base and undermining the local and national economy by sending the greater majority of your illegally earned wages south... you don't deserve a damn thing from this nation or it's services. It's really simple.
Legal citizen you get it, illegal you don't. If you die, we ship you back to your country and bill them for the storage, handling and shipping fees. After all they are citizen of Mexico and other southern nations... it's their problem not ours.
NOW if a person comes in LEGALLY and follows the RULES and learns the language and so forth then they earn their in for services. It's so simple... really it is. ]:)
wow
"The views expressed here are mine and do not reflect the official opinion of my employer or the organization through which the Internet was accessed."
Idealistic or not
Sorry but that is not what the Republic of America was founded on. You want to know why so many states are having serious budget issues? It's the illegals mooching off the tax payers as well as the lazy.
When I was in grade school teachers would ask if I brought enough for everyone if I was chewing gum or eating a candy bar. My answer has always been and will always be, NO, why do I have to share what I paid for and earned? It's mine and if I want to share it then I will, otherwise noone has the right to take what is mine and redistribute it. And that is what is happening with health care and other services in this nation.
Now you want to earn your own... go for it. Leave mine alone. I worked for it, I earned it you have no claim or right to it. It's really that simple. Oh and those illegals that have a voting contingent here... maybe if they abide by the LAW and became legal tax paying citizens I wouldn't care, but just because they have voters here doesn't give them access or rights. ]:)
Reality check
It does give them access to our rights because it gives them political clout which then influences elected officials. What should or shouldn't be are useless points of arguments. We have a situation that is not perfect and the solution will not be simple or easy - if it was, it'd be implemented by now.
"It's the illegals mooching off the tax payers as well as the lazy."
In my experiences, which I will admit is limited, the illegals are far more hard-working then most of the ever-great tax-payers I see working in my neighborhood stores and restaurants. THey aren't paying taxes, thats for sure, but they are keeping the price of your food low because the folks running the farms don't have to pay much for labor or workmans comp. You are missing a VERY large piece of the puzzle my friend. I don't know whether the figure of tax revenues lost is outweighed by the reduction in cost of goods/services if we only had real, taxed labor in this country, but I imagine the net effect is not very drastic at all. I'd love to see some sources/articles with these figures, but I don't have the time to research it atm unfortunatly.
"The views expressed here are mine and do not reflect the official opinion of my employer or the organization through which the Internet was accessed."
Your experience is limited.
As for being implemented now, no it wouldn't and it is easy. Round them up, ship them back and bill Mexico for the cost. Problem is the bleeding heart liberals that want to give away what many of us have busted our arses for. "Oh the poor Mexicans..." F*** them! If they want a better life then stay in your own damn country and exercise your human rights to self governance. WE did it 235 years ago... take our example and exercise it.
Their problems are theirs, we have our own to deal with. One of which is them coming in illegally and bankrupting our local governments and increasing gang violence and drug use in our communities. Oh yeah, take a drive down parts of LA or Compton or Salinas... many of those "poor Mexicans" are illegal gang bangers shooting our neighborhoods up.
They break more laws than I can count, but we are supposed to look the other way and allow them to abuse our systems? To hell with that!
Trust me... they only work as hard as they need too, to get by. I live in an area surrounded by illegals... I see it daily.
You don't see the drain on local economies and resources... California budget shortfall ring a bell?
And the price of food has been going up in my area... so that dog isn't hunting either.
Bottom line... many of our nations fiscal problems can be attributed to illegals consuming vast quantities of our resources and services while shipping the money they make HERE to Mexico where it further bleeds our local economies which spills over into state economies and then into Federal.
They drive without paying automotive taxes, insurance and without a license. My insurance rates keep going up even though I have an A++ rating! Why? Because the damn uninsured and unlicensed illegals are getting into or causing accidents because they DON'T know how to drive in the United States... they run away from the scene and leave the insured motorist footing the bill.
SO tell me again how this is fair? Toss `em out. ]:)
@Linux User
Here is why.
1. I've read the constitution, bill of rights, and have actually had to memorize the entirety of one and a good portion of the other. Courtesy of Ivy League law classes. Oh and guess what, I am a (legal) immigrant too. The fact that you don't realize that while the rights of their legal counterparts may not extend to the rest of them *legally*, in reality they SURE as hell do by proxy. Welcome to the good US of A.
And yes, we bleeding heart liberals still continue to refuse to trade humanity for patriotism and never will. And as for 'busting your arse' I SERIOUSLY doubt you've done anything of the sort. Oh, you may have served the military and I salute you for it, but the problem is that the folks in charge had you do work that actually didn't help us all that much at all. Helped some rich folk get a lot richer though, so 'atta-boy! Nor did you do squat 235 years ago, or more specifically, your ancestors came over way after the killing was over and the dust settled, so please cut the sanctimonious self righteous BS. See my first line for clarification.
AS for the illegal gangs and gangbangers, well they just shoot each other up so wth do you care, am I right? And you are very right, we DO have our own problems to deal with, but you conservatives like to say one thing, but do the opposite in practice. Under you all we got our nose into EVERYONEs business, and lets not forget the little war in Iraq, the costs of which short and long term will make any costs associated with illegals seem like chump change. You wanna talk about taking care of our business then you need to call your people and tell em to stick to the script.
Californian budget crisis? Are you frigging out of your mind. Could it be perhaps that in a recession economy, a state that BASES its economy around the entertainment industry and unchecked real estate expansion, both of which were the first to be hit by this thing, that state could perhaps be in trouble? Nah, wth do I know? It can't be that. Blame the g***amn Mexicans.
You think your food is expensive now? YOu get rid of illegals and you'll be HAVING no food for a while. Labor costs, ESPECIALLY in Cali would double for food farmers that use illegal labor. If not more. Jesus, you are so focused on this one issue that you can't see whats two steps ahead of you, let alone the trees. I don't expect to change your mind, but at least educate yourself on the issue instead of spewing racist bigoted crap.
Finally, even if you were right, I would LOVE to hear your proposal actually planned out, with some logistics and associated cost estimates. I'd also love to see the additional non-quantifiable costs of a complete destruction of our national relationship with the entire Latin Americas. I'd like you find me that number, and if its less then ten times the economical drain of all illegals in this country, I swear to you sir, I will ear my own shoes. I will cut them up, toss em in the skillet with some oil so they go down easy and I will eat them, in front of you if you'd like.
In conclusion, the garbage that you are spewing is making it unsafe for me to travel abroad because foreigners assume that just cause I'm from the states, I'm someone like you. In fact, YOU are infringing on MY right to not be viewed as a complete douche by the rest of the developed world. Please, PLEASE stop. Think what you will and vote what you will, but get off your soapbox. Everyone is staring at you and you are embarrassing the rest of us.
Thank you and have a pleasant tomorrow.
Thought this was over?
Been around the world, visited over 30 countries and 24 states. I know why Americans are hated and it's not because of my hard line stance on the law.
[B]Here is why.
1. I've read the constitution, bill of rights, and have actually had to memorize the entirety of one and a good portion of the other. Courtesy of Ivy League law classes. Oh and guess what, I am a (legal) immigrant too. The fact that you don't realize that while the rights of their legal counterparts may not extend to the rest of them *legally*, in reality they SURE as hell do by proxy. Welcome to the good US of A.[/B]
Health care is not covered as a right. Go back and read the Constitution again. Read the Bill of Rights again as well. Nowhere in either document does it mention health care being a right. Also it clearly defines what a legal resident is entitled to for rights and that illegals have none. Not even by proxy. You see, I studied these documents as well. Because I spent 14 years defending them.
[B]And yes, we bleeding heart liberals still continue to refuse to trade humanity for patriotism and never will. And as for 'busting your arse' I SERIOUSLY doubt you've done anything of the sort. Oh, you may have served the military and I salute you for it, but the problem is that the folks in charge had you do work that actually didn't help us all that much at all. Helped some rich folk get a lot richer though, so 'atta-boy! Nor did you do squat 235 years ago, or more specifically, your ancestors came over way after the killing was over and the dust settled, so please cut the sanctimonious self righteous BS. See my first line for clarification.[/B]
Sorry but you and your liberal ilk are why we are heading down the tubes. As for doubting my arse busting, walk a mile in my shoes bud... until then you haven't a clue. And no, I am not some well off snob, just an average Joe that works hard for what he has. I may not have personally done anything 235 years ago, but my family sure did. They fought the Red Coats and the Tories and kick their arses the hell on out and created a country. One of my ancestors (still validating the connection... but so far it looks to be accurate) signed the Declaration of Independence and was a Secretary of Treasury as well as one of the authors of the Constitution and the Federalist Papers which clearly define the intent of many of the Amendments within the Constitution.
[B]AS for the illegal gangs and gangbangers, well they just shoot each other up so wth do you care, am I right? And you are very right, we DO have our own problems to deal with, but you conservatives like to say one thing, but do the opposite in practice. Under you all we got our nose into EVERYONEs business, and lets not forget the little war in Iraq, the costs of which short and long term will make any costs associated with illegals seem like chump change. You wanna talk about taking care of our business then you need to call your people and tell em to stick to the script. [/B]
I don't care what they do to each other. Let them kill each other off if that's what they want. But I do care because their violence spills over into the peaceful citizenry that has no desire to be involved with such moronic behavior. So in that light it is my problem and I do care. Especially when good LAW abiding citizens are living in needless fear. The police are all but helpless against theses gangs, thanks to bleeding hearts like yourself. And so are many citizens, again thanks to bleeding hearts such as yourself.
[B]Californian budget crisis? Are you frigging out of your mind. Could it be perhaps that in a recession economy, a state that BASES its economy around the entertainment industry and unchecked real estate expansion, both of which were the first to be hit by this thing, that state could perhaps be in trouble? Nah, wth do I know? It can't be that. Blame the g***amn Mexicans.[/B]
First off our economy in California is not based on the movie industry alone, we still have Silicon valley a massive agricultural base as well as alternative power manufacturing industries. Our fiscal problems stem from several issues. One being the massive drain by illegals on our medical systems as well as the money that is exported from the California economy to the Mexican economy. Another issue is the damn liberals... again, pushing regulations and taxing businesses right out of the state. Then factor in the housing bubble that just burst last year. So no there are many aspects to the problem. And the easiest to address is the illegal immigrant issue.
[B]You think your food is expensive now? YOu get rid of illegals and you'll be HAVING no food for a while. Labor costs, ESPECIALLY in Cali would double for food farmers that use illegal labor. If not more. Jesus, you are so focused on this one issue that you can't see whats two steps ahead of you, let alone the trees. I don't expect to change your mind, but at least educate yourself on the issue instead of spewing racist bigoted crap.[/B]
I highly doubt it. There is a work force building as unemployment rises... what we are now in the 11.5% range... plenty of bodies that are here legally to fill the work force. As for accusing me of being a racist, that is the typical battle cry of the liberal left. If you don't agree with us then you are automatically a racist. Again walk a mile in my shoes...
[B]Finally, even if you were right, I would LOVE to hear your proposal actually planned out, with some logistics and associated cost estimates. I'd also love to see the additional non-quantifiable costs of a complete destruction of our national relationship with the entire Latin Americas. I'd like you find me that number, and if its less then ten times the economical drain of all illegals in this country, I swear to you sir, I will ear my own shoes. I will cut them up, toss em in the skillet with some oil so they go down easy and I will eat them, in front of you if you'd like.[/B]
I am not an economist nor am I a labor expert, so your request (and you knew damn well that it couldn't be) will not be met. Not that I wouldn't love to watch you eat your shoes, but sadly and honestly I don't know enough to spell out a detailed plan that you unrealistically requested. So on that count you are off the hook. Now if there is someone else here that can fulfill your request maybe they will step up and do so... because I really would like to see you eat your shoes, so much so that I would YouTube the event.
[B]In conclusion, the garbage that you are spewing is making it unsafe for me to travel abroad because foreigners assume that just cause I'm from the states, I'm someone like you. In fact, YOU are infringing on MY right to not be viewed as a complete douche by the rest of the developed world. Please, PLEASE stop. Think what you will and vote what you will, but get off your soapbox. Everyone is staring at you and you are embarrassing the rest of us.
Thank you and have a pleasant tomorrow. [/B]
No actually what is making it dangerous for Americans to travel abroad is our not adhering to our Constitutional mandates. If we would stop meddling in other countries affairs and stop over throwing foreign governments and stop invading sovereign nations then we wouldn't be so despised. But because both the Democrats and Republicans (of which neither am I affiliated with) have veered away from our Constitution, we as a nation are suffering. And the liberal way is not the way to get back on track. Reeling corporate power back under it's original tenets and going back to our core Constitutional way of governance and stop meddling in the affairs of other sovereign nations then we can truly fix things. Health care is not a right and the government, the REPUBLIC of America, we are not and never have been a Democracy and any that say we are are either blithering idiots or liberals intent on undermining the Republic. Reigning in the abusive corporate entities that are driving our health care costs are the solution. Not socialized medicine.