I thought the above shed some new light on the hidden costs of the USA's health system and the underfunding of public education.
I'm quite involved in the healthcare system and I'd like to share a few observations.
- No one likes the current system. Only the insurance industry is an enthusiastic supporter of the status quo. Doctors hate it, Nurses hate it, Hospital administrators hate it and most importantly, patients hate it.
- Managed care is only good if you're healthy. When you're sick you want access to the very best care. Murphy will tell you that the very best specialists are never part of your HMO.
- The low cost administrator is Medicare. 3 cents of every healthcare dollar goes to administrative costs under Medicare. With private carriers that cost is 25-30 cents of every dollar.
- The insurance industry spends a huge amount of money each year convincing you that you will suffer greatly under a single payer health plan.
- In addition they spend huge amounts of money on lobbying efforts and campaign contributions to protect the status quo.
- Critical healthcare has never required a commitee approval for my treatment under Medicare. When my MD refers me for something, all I need do is make the appointment.
- I have been denied health care by an HMO. The FDA approved a chemotherapy regimine that was considered 'state of the art' on the grounds it was 'experimental'. Not to mention expensive.
- You really don't want to fight for care when you're already quite ill.
- I now see world renowned specialists. Were I still with my old HMO, a local internest would be the best I could hope for.
- Don't get me started on the drug companies!
Contrary to popular opinion, I've recieved the best healthcare by far from Medicare than was offered under the private programs I've been in. The benefits provided at Charles Schwab & Co. were top tier. The Medicare program is much better.
