Public health plan could save money faster

Of course it would but one BIG problem:
It wouldn't contribute to campaigns of bought-off Congress.

----


Public health plan could save money faster: policy group
Reuters
By Susan Heavey Susan Heavey – Wed Jun 24, 8:00 am ET

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – A nationwide health insurance exchange that includes a Medicare-like government option could save $1.8 trillion more than if only private plans are offered, a prominent private U.S. health policy group said on Wednesday.

Federal spending on health-related costs would still rise from 2010 to 2020, but they would be less with a plan that pays doctors and hospital rates similar to the Medicare program for the elderly and disabled, according to a report by the Commonwealth Fund.

The New York-based health policy research group compared possible savings a health insurance exchange could bring under three different scenarios. One would include a Medicare-like plan along with private insurance. Another would instead offer a government-run plan with rates somewhat higher than Medicare. The final one would be private insurance with no government plan at all.

Such an exchange would offer a central point for consumers to shop for and compare health plans.

MORE:
http://www.reuters.com/article/newsOne/idUSTRE55N0SJ20090624

---

It's a matter of providing care to our people, it sure isn't going to save any money when people who ignore getting treatment all of a sudden are able to obtain some relief from their sufferings.

Government bureaucracies have graft, greed, and corruption just as much as any private insurance company. Maybe more in some cases.

Billions and billions of dollars go to the pockets of
executives and congress.....

This is a fact and will not happen in the public option.

(This information comes from a person who works in the industry.)

with Medicare. The costs have gone skyward in that time, and the only way it survives is to cut payments to doctors and hospitals, who then load the costs onto the bills of those with either insurance or the ability to pay.

I have no illusions about cost savings, for me, this is simply a matter of alleviating human suffering. A rich guy goes to the doctor as soon as he detects something wrong, a poor schlump toughs it out, and maybe he gets better, maybe not.

Medicare is a very fine option compared to them
on many levels.

Neither are government bureaucrats.

What's really important is if the job is getting done or not. Private health insurance companies were seen as doing the job a few decades ago. Then things changed, they reacted in ways that made them go from being part of the solution to being part of the problem, and that is why they need to be replaced. Medicare's just about dead broke, and will require either greatly raised payroll taxes, or an infusion of money that comes from some other need.

Social security's in that boat, as well, and will require either slashing some other part of the federal budget or increased taxes. National health insurance will do the same, but I guess it's time that we step up to the job and stop promising people they can have "free" things that never have to be paid for.

Provide it, and pay for it.