Single payer vs. For Profit Health Systems

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By Hosea McAdoo (about the author) Page 2 of 2 page(s)

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I recently have had an illness requiring many treatments, many studies and visits. Medicare and a supplementary policy have covered all but a portion of the drugs. I have had no hassle and received statements. This is the same as reported to me by Canadians that I have interviewed but unlike the problems from private insurers. Some deliberately delay payments, some raise false problems to delay and some just deny and require healthcare providers to fight to get paid. All this raises the cost to physicians and hospitals who must have large insurance departments just to get paid.

The single payer system like the Canadian system or Medicare also simplifies bookkeeping because the regulations are relatively constant versus the 2000 or so different rules, regulations and forms from various insurers. Some payers seem to care but most will do anything to avoid or delay payment. Almost all base the payment on some formula relating to Medicare payments.

I feel that while the basis for our economy should be capitalism there is no way to avoid using the government to deal with things that are needed by all that occur sporadically. We as individuals cannot have our own army, firehouse, hospital, school system, police etc. That is the stone age way and extremely inefficient. Doing these things collectively with benefits going to those needing it at the time is the best use of facilities. The private insurers do not do a better job and waste 30 cents of every dollar in the system. Giving this gift to the large corporate parasites is just another welfare for the rich and we, the suckers, get ripped again.

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I am a sixty seven year old retired physician and Navy veteran of the Vietnam era. I have strong feelings about our Constitution and the Bill of Rights and also believe in the words of Patrick Henry: "Give me Liberty or Give me Death." I am very (more...)

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