The Big Three of healthcare may roadblock reformJune 17, 5:14 PM
Raymond GellnerGo
In the United States our healthcare system is in shambles. In fact, to even call it a “system” is to imply a sense of order where in reality none exists. Over 46 million Americans (or 18%) under age 65 are unable to obtain any health insurance.(1) In addition, it is estimated that another 29% of Americans are underinsured.(2) With almost 50% of the population in such dire straits, it would seem a given that the nations leaders in Washington would work diligently and in a bipartisan manner for sweeping changes in order to avert this disaster. Unfortunately, once again instead of following the interests of the citizens of the United States, many of our Washington DC representatives are being wooed away from the will of the voters by the constant stream of attention they receive from corporate lobbyists.
There are three factions that have fought fervently in opposition to any kind of governmental input into our healthcare system: the American Medical Association (AMA), the pharmaceutical companies (aka Big Pharma), and the health insurance companies. All three of these lobbying organizations have a vested interest in a lack of government intervention. Such an event would create competition and/or regulation thereby reducing their present ability to self-regulate their own profit margins, despite the affect it has on the rising cost of healthcare.
The AMA is a powerful conservative organization comprised of doctors which has a very powerful lobbying presence in DC. Since the early twentieth century, it has fought time and time again against any form of government sponsored medical program. Contrary to its normal position on this issue, last week it reversed its decision to completely oppose any government sponsored health care reform, and it is now willing to discuss such matters. This was further enforced earlier this week when President Obama addressed their annual conference in Chicago, as noted in the article “Obama's meeting with AMA fuels health care reform cooperation.” However, whether they are genuine in their attempt to work with this administration in order to solve our health care crisis remains to be seen.
The private insurance companies and “Big Pharma” would have quite a bit to lose if a public option for healthcare was to be initiated, and they spend millions of dollars every year to lobby against this occurrence. As it stands now, they have a free hand in negotiating between themselves the prices for medications and then merely pass the cost on to the patient. Their motives are circular and their goals are complementary to each other in the extreme; ergo each industry elevates the profits of the other. Such arrangements within other industries have been equated to price-fixing and subsequently prosecuted, but so far these two industries have avoided this fate. This robber baron mentality is further illustrated as they cast away those who cannot afford health care in attempt to maximize profits.
http://www.examiner.com/x-11326-Charlotte-Liberal-Examiner~y2009m6d17-The-Big-Three-of-health-care-may-provide-a-roadblock-to-reform
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