As would probably half of the doctors if there was universal Medicare.  A lot of doctors are dropping it altogether due to very poor reimbursements.  We have not done so out of principle - I just don't think it would be righ, and it only makes up less than 15% of my practice.  Due to this fact, the crisis that would be created with this scenerio would be too big to justify any gains.  I think it is extremely unlikely that this would fly.

You would end up with a 2-tiered system, where doctors start practices that rich patients could pay cash for or "subscribe to" as in "Boutique Medicine."

Sorry to rain on your parade.

Rob

Augusta, GA

New Websites:

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And just what would you do Rob?  

I wouldn't recommend a career in aerospace!

Why do some seem so worried about such a prospect?  What would really be the difference if Medicare or some other designated government entity reimbursed doctors and hospitals for care vs the current system now, where a dozen or more private entities provide reimbursement?

Essentially it's the amount that is reimbursed.  But that is just a matter of negotiation.

That number will easily go up, since there will no longer be the profit motive of the health insurers siphoning off billions from providers and consumers.

There will also be more money in the insurance pool, since this would have to be a mandatory enrollment program, funded by what I envision as a  combination of payroll taxes, sales taxes and/or a VAT.

Providers will benefit since they won't have to hire additional staff required to file for reimbursement from the various health insurers.  Emergency rooms won't be overburdened by people without insurance.

Patients will benefit because all the money previously paid to health insurers will now go to an entity who's principle goal will not be to deny care to the patient.  And consumers/patients will no longer have to worry about being able to purchase health insurance, and risking bankruptcy, simply because they have lost their job.

Plus it will be a boon to business and the economy, since businesses will no longer be saddled with the sole responsibility of providing health care to the citizens of the US, forcing many jobs overseas in order to compete in a world economy. 

And there can still be room for the health insurers through supplemental insurance, just as it is now with Medicare.  Insureres will just have to be more aggressive in their marketing to get a share of the health care dollars.

I really didn't mean to indicate that I thought you could negotiate with Medicare for reimbursement.

What I was trying to say was, since everyone will be contributing via payroll taxes, sales taxes and/or a VAT, more money will go into the system, and reimbursements should go up.  Plus provider costs will go down, since they won't have to deal with the myriad of different insurance company forms and procedures.

But the major benefit will be to business and the economy.  Certainly companies will have to contribute via a payroll tax, but most socially responsible companies already contribute to health care for their employees, so that won't be an issue for them.  Where those companies will see a benefit is from the elimination of the need for workmans comp insurance.  And the companies that don't provide health care won't be hurt either because of the same workmans comp issue.

I believe it's a win-win for everyone, except of course for the health insurance companies, and the politicians who benefit from health insurance company lobbying.

It is certainly a lot better than the hodge podge system we have now, where many people have to go without insurance due to the cost, while others can be denied insurance coverage and face bankruptcy because of mounting health care expenses.