Comments on: Healthcare is a consumable, let’s act like consumers http://thesinglerider.com/2009/06/healthcare-is-a-consumable-lets-act-like-consumers/ Treading the fine line between "alone" and "free"... Thu, 10 Nov 2011 16:55:42 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: mari mari quite contrary http://thesinglerider.com/2009/06/healthcare-is-a-consumable-lets-act-like-consumers/comment-page-1/#comment-15 mari mari quite contrary Sun, 07 Jun 2009 13:27:15 +0000 http://thesinglerider.com/?p=193#comment-15 I agree. However, keeping in mind that comparing medical systems in two different countries is like comparing apples and oranges - making medical coverage mandatory (the law) for every citizen answers some of these concerns. In a socialized medical system, consumers judge the value (quality) of the service for themselves, and are free to go somewhere else if the service is found lacking. Doctors, by turn, are free to open and close their practice to new patients. They cannot judge and restrict who they will or will not accept, only that they are accepting (or not accepting) new patients. *(see footnote below) As to monthly premiums, they generally run around $50 for one person; $100 for a family of two; and $110 for a family of three or more. Premium assistance of up to 100% is available for those with low incomes. Again though, it is hard to compare the two systems and make generalizations. Both medical systems have their advantages and their drawbacks. *Little footnote: Being able to close your practice to new patients has proven to be extremely beneficial to female doctors who wish to raise a family. By pairing up with another doctor, they are able to restrict the size of their practice, and work-share with the other physician. I agree. However, keeping in mind that comparing medical systems in two different countries is like comparing apples and oranges – making medical coverage mandatory (the law) for every citizen answers some of these concerns.

In a socialized medical system, consumers judge the value (quality) of the service for themselves, and are free to go somewhere else if the service is found lacking. Doctors, by turn, are free to open and close their practice to new patients. They cannot judge and restrict who they will or will not accept, only that they are accepting (or not accepting) new patients. *(see footnote below)

As to monthly premiums, they generally run around $50 for one person; $100 for a family of two; and $110 for a family of three or more. Premium assistance of up to 100% is available for those with low incomes.

Again though, it is hard to compare the two systems and make generalizations. Both medical systems have their advantages and their drawbacks.

*Little footnote: Being able to close your practice to new patients has proven to be extremely beneficial to female doctors who wish to raise a family. By pairing up with another doctor, they are able to restrict the size of their practice, and work-share with the other physician.

]]> By: Erin http://thesinglerider.com/2009/06/healthcare-is-a-consumable-lets-act-like-consumers/comment-page-1/#comment-14 Erin Sat, 06 Jun 2009 22:10:24 +0000 http://thesinglerider.com/?p=193#comment-14 I think that's one way to try and control costs - cap the price of the service. But real competition would mean that consumers could shop by price, judge the value of the service for themselves, and go somewhere else freely and without any of this "in network" restriction nonsense if they think they can do better elsewhere. Real competition would pit doctors against each other for the privilege of our business. Competition would mean cheaper costs for the consumer. I'm hoping to see this in my lifetime. I think that’s one way to try and control costs – cap the price of the service. But real competition would mean that consumers could shop by price, judge the value of the service for themselves, and go somewhere else freely and without any of this “in network” restriction nonsense if they think they can do better elsewhere. Real competition would pit doctors against each other for the privilege of our business. Competition would mean cheaper costs for the consumer. I’m hoping to see this in my lifetime.

]]> By: mari mari quite contrary http://thesinglerider.com/2009/06/healthcare-is-a-consumable-lets-act-like-consumers/comment-page-1/#comment-13 mari mari quite contrary Sat, 06 Jun 2009 21:49:18 +0000 http://thesinglerider.com/?p=193#comment-13 Well there might be one aspect of the medical system in the country way to the north of you that you might agree with then. My understanding of that socialized medical system is that doctors are paid by a rate schedule which determines how much they are paid for any particular service by the government health service. IE: Doctor A doesn't get paid any more for a particular service than Doctor B does. Of course, we are just comparing one aspect here. No medical system in any country is perfect. And comparing different medical systems in any two countries is like comparing apples and oranges. Well there might be one aspect of the medical system in the country way to the north of you that you might agree with then. My understanding of that socialized medical system is that doctors are paid by a rate schedule which determines how much they are paid for any particular service by the government health service. IE: Doctor A doesn’t get paid any more for a particular service than Doctor B does.

Of course, we are just comparing one aspect here. No medical system in any country is perfect. And comparing different medical systems in any two countries is like comparing apples and oranges.

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