Americans: Spending More & Getting Less in their Health Care

[mikgaes]

The U.S. spends more on health care per capita, yet has the largest uninsured population of any advanced, industrialized country, according to a new book, The State of Working America 2006/2007, released Tuesday by the Economic Policy Institute (EPI). Compared to 19 other wealthy countries that belong to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), the U.S. health care model fails miserably, with 16% of the population lacking health insurance in 2004. Ireland, Austria and Finland spend half of what the U.S. spends on health care, as a percentage of GDP, and cover 99-100 percent of their respective populations. "The system is broken. This study shows that Americans spend far more - and get far less - when it comes to health care," said George J. Kourpias, President of the Alliance.

Drug Expenditure per Capita (public v. private) (http://www.oecd.org/dataoecd/5/24/36984917.pdf)

Change in Health Expenditure as a Share of GDP (http://www.oecd.org/dataoecd/5/28/36992150.pdf)

Health Expenditure per Capita (Public & Private) vs. Other Countries (http://www.oecd.org/dataoecd/5/27/36984860.pdf)

Rising health costs put pressure on public finances (http://www.oecd.org/document/37/0,2340,en_2649_201185_36986213_1_1_1_1,00.html)

It is the huge disparity in private health care spending (vs. govt spending) that is driving the US system into bankruptcy. You may marvel at our technology, however the cost of, say a PET-CT scan, could be cut in half and there would still be money made by those administering the test. Hence the problem. Also factor in all those HMO CEO salaries in that private sector over-spending. Specifically read this: link (http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/fortune_archive/2006/07/10/8380799/), paying attention to United Healthcare CEO and to Pfizer's.

[Crinoline]

Let me guess, the government can fix up this mess right?

[sukie]

So you want 100% medicare like billing structure for everyone? This will wipe out HMO's that killed reimbursement and is the main reason the private doc's margins blow.

[mikgaes]

I would like much tighter government oversight of the private health insurance companies, on behalf of American health care consumers. To watch these out of sight administration costs to start.

The HMO keeps boasting to you how they are saving money by paying your doctor less, but at the same time the annual cost of the insurance is more. Where is that extra money going? To administration. If your HMO is going to raise your rate it should go directly to your health care, not to line the pockets of the HMO administrators. However this is exactly what is happening.

[sukie]

What about car insurance oversight? Anything else the "Feds" should oversee? Dairy industry pricing policies perhaps?

[mikgaes]

Next you'll be calling me a Marxist. http://floridasportsman.com/art/roflmao.gif That's what the Constitution called for. Minimal government, with most of the powers in the state's hands. They should be there to watch over such things to make sure you're not getting taken advantage of. http://floridasportsman.com/art/bang.gif

Dairy industry pricing policies perhaps?

Besides, I thought you only consumed breast milk. http://floridasportsman.com/art/scratch.gif


__________________________________________________ _______________

[sukie]

This whole idea expands government... I hate the idea.

[mikgaes]

No. I doesn't have too. I am for small, efficient government. The government should play as little a part as needed. But, IMO, watch-dog is part of it. I think it is probably this time-heralded idea of the big, laborous beaurocracy that you don't like. I don't either. It doesn't take thousands and thousands of people to do this. A few properly trained people with up-to-date computers. A set of rules/guidelines must be followed by the HMO's with regards to where the money goes that you are charging the American public. It can still be a lucrative endeavor for the HMO's.

[sukie]

I meant the nationalized (socialized-universal) entitlement part as being "big gubment".

[Matt]

I am far from an expert on this. But I have to say:

- Pharmaceutical Industries need to invest in the practice of helping and curing people; instead of making people just healthy enough to need more medications.

- The route to the medications needs to be cheaper.

[35Pete]

The U.S. spends more on health care per capita, yet has the largest uninsured population of any advanced, industrialized country, according to a new book, The State of Working America 2006/2007, released Tuesday by the Economic Policy Institute (EPI). Compared to 19 other wealthy countries that belong to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), the U.S. health care model fails miserably, with 16% of the population lacking health insurance in 2004. Ireland, Austria and Finland spend half of what the U.S. spends on health care, as a percentage of GDP, and cover 99-100 percent of their respective populations. "The system is broken. This study shows that Americans spend far more - and get far less - when it comes to health care," said George J. Kourpias, President of the Alliance.

Drug Expenditure per Capita (public v. private) (http://www.oecd.org/dataoecd/5/24/36984917.pdf)

Change in Health Expenditure as a Share of GDP (http://www.oecd.org/dataoecd/5/28/36992150.pdf)

Health Expenditure per Capita (Public & Private) vs. Other Countries (http://www.oecd.org/dataoecd/5/27/36984860.pdf)

Rising health costs put pressure on public finances (http://www.oecd.org/document/37/0,2340,en_2649_201185_36986213_1_1_1_1,00.html)

It is the huge disparity in private health care spending (vs. govt spending) that is driving the US system into bankruptcy. You may marvel at our technology, however the cost of, say a PET-CT scan, could be cut in half and there would still be money made by those administering the test. Hence the problem. Also factor in all those HMO CEO salaries in that private sector over-spending. Specifically read this: link (http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/fortune_archive/2006/07/10/8380799/), paying attention to United Healthcare CEO and to Pfizer's.

I had ZERO health insurance for 68% of my life. Please. Cool it with the uninsured. Been there, done that. I have no compassion for the uninsured. It is a self-preservation thing. People that are not motivated to self-preservation should not be helped along. I decided not having insurance, among other crappy circumstances, was unacceptable and took the initiative to change my situation. Personally I think it is shameful, embarrassing and beneath one to expect others to pay for your health insurance. It makes you a freeloader. Really.

The uninsured have no bearing on the excellent quality of my healthcare. It's worldclass. They should try to improve their condition. I found it to be well worth it. And they'd be surprised what a little hard work and effort would do.

Terrible circumstances? Cry me a river. I've explained the hell I lived through. Don't bother. It will fall on deaf ears.

[Matt]

I had ZERO health insurance for 68% of my life. Please. Cool it with the uninsured. Been there, done that. I have no compassion for the uninsured. It is a self-preservation thing. People that are not motivated to self-preservation should not be helped along. I decided not having insurance, among other crappy circumstances, was unacceptable and took the initiative to change my situation. Personally I think it is shameful, embarrassing and beneath one to expect others to pay for your health insurance. It makes you a freeloader. Really.

The uninsured have no bearing on the excellent quality of my healthcare. It's worldclass. They should try to improve their condition. I found it to be well worth it. And they'd be surprised what a little hard work and effort would do.

Terrible circumstances? Cry me a river. I've explained the hell I lived through. Don't bother. It will fall on deaf ears.

I wouldn't be opposed to a national healthcare system for people under a specific age. Say 25. Because I don't feel in many cases that you can necessarily consider that freeloading. I understand there are circumstances, but not always.

Not to draw too far into personal stories, but my biological dad was a bit of a dead-beat; had cut a deal with my mom to pay for my health-insurance so long as he didn't have to pull full child support. They divorced when I was very young. Despite his claims that I was insured, he never actually paid for anything -- just said it. So for a good part of my youth I was uninsured before my mom finally just said enough and made the arrangements to have me put on her plan. Less than two years later I became diabetic and developed a liver disease.

I'm lucky circumstances worked out as they did where I became insured before things happened; but that's not always the case. And for children it's rarely their fault.

[shiva2999]

The uninsured have no bearing on the excellent quality of my healthcare. It's worldclass.

How's the malpractice suit coming along?

[mikgaes]

Pete,

Check your IM.