We have the last 30 years' track record of a privately-oriented health care operation, whose evolved financial structure and incentives are so skewed that the provision of care -- which is the point -- is far too uncertain for too many Americans, even those who are covered.
The market is perfect for defining supply-and-demand for things like bicycles and sporting goods or plumbing services, but not for organizing and delivering health-related skills and resources. It is not appropriate for ensuring the health and well being of an entire nation of citizens. If government is not doing a good job at the tasks we assign it to do, we at least have the power, whether we use it or not, to change it. There is very little power to change what corporations have to do to ensure their continued growth. That is the essential disconnect here and why too many people speak in absolutes while passing in the night. Health care needs to be served by the private market, just like a city hires a contractor to build a library, not controlled by it.
It is amusing to hear status-quo supporters blast the idea that health decisions will be made by the notorious "government beaurocrats," when they are now made by private sector bean-counters. Maybe that's the choice: publicly accountable beaurocrat vs. privately incentivized employee. Really, we can do a hell of a lot better than that.
This article uses the same tactics as the tobacco industry that it purports to criticize.
It refers to the insurance companies as being the "health care industry". It ignores the fact that the "health care industry" consists of, guess what, health care providers; doctors, nurse, hospitals, etc, etc.
By attacking the insurance companies, which are easy targets, and referring to them as the "health care industry", they seek to generate criticism of the whole industry. Demonize one, demonize all.
From what I've seen, so far, the political debate has been all about money, and only pays lip service to the actual patients, and providers.
A rational health care system should be centered on the needs of the patient, and the actual providers. How can we ever have any effective health care system without the cooperation of the providers themselves ?
Personally, I think the notion that the government can provide a better health care system, cheaper, is not even rational.
I watched you on bill moyers show yesterday and I would like to say thank you.
I applaud your courage in speaking the truth moreso now at a time of distorted
information. and half truths. May you continue the work.
Mr. Potter's appearance on the Journal was informative and useful. He has the insiders' facts. Most of us, John Q's, out here just have personal stories.
Yet, as I read the on-going, ever-changing, health care squabbles and rants in Congress I fear the lobbyists have done their jobs.
When Mr. Potter appeared before Congress that should have been the end of the arguing. I am sorry I didn't get to see it but I think I pretty much know how it went.
The title of a book, Congress, the Sapless Branch by Sen. Joseph Clark often comes to mind. President Obama while trying to return to the Legislative branch some of their share of governance may wake up and realize he has been dreaming.
I hope it is not too late.
Mr. Potter would not be the first "whistle blower" to come out of a corporate closet. Are we to dismiss him because it took him so long to develop a conscience?
The corporate and political climate in this country has been fouled by greed for so long that even nice people can lose sight of the problems their jobs and careers are causing in society. We are all guilty of this to some degree. Ever think about the cheap labor that makes your clothes or harvests your food. Anyone work for a drug company out there whose products are destroying the livers of countless people everyday.
I think Mr. Potter has shown a lot of courage by coming forward. And I am sure that he is grappling with his recent realization that the industry that he found employment with all these years is responsible for the deaths of thousands and the financial ruin of countless others. Let the man redeem himself. No one is asking that you throw him a party.
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