1) So efficiency is what actually matters. Efficiency implies savings...so just how much is this going to save the average taxpayer? I'm hearing that CBO's projected $829 billion "savings" over 10 years reflects a massive hike in payroll tax revenues from the middle class. These 'savings' include an individual mandate tax, an employer mandate tax, a potential death of Health Savings Accounts (HSA), a tax on high-end health plans, a new cap on flexible-spending accounts (FSAs), and various tweaks in the tax code to raise new revenue. Add all these taxes together with Medicare and Medicaid cuts (estimated at $404 billion) and you get you $829 billion in 'savings'. Sweeet! Excuse me...but I can't afford this kind of "efficiency" and "savings". If this is your idea of "efficiency"...then I shutter to think about what constitutes "better healthcare".
2) I beg to differ with you regarding coverage denials...it tells you that you have a fraud problem and/or a healthcare effectiveness problem....and in Medicare's case....probably both. From your comments, it appears that Medicare's huge denial rate is a reflection of rampant fraud prevalent within this Government run healthcare system? If so, you're not exactly making a good argument here for more Government run healthcare now are you? $404 billion of Medicare and Medicaid cuts...that's probably not all fraud...that's probably not all magically created efficiencies...that's probably a lot of cuts that affects basic coverage like this:
Government Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services' New Cuts Threaten U.S. Cancer Care
http://www.prnewswire.com/news-rele...-cancer-care-68577807.html?wwparam=1257795661
Is this your idea of "better healthcare"?
3) 4,000 mothers is one hell of a lot of "anecdotal evidence".
Bed shortage forces 4,000 mothers to give birth in lifts, offices and hospital toilets
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...s-offices-hospital-toilets.html#ixzz0WORO0RUG
"Health chiefs admit a lack of maternity beds is partly to blame for the crisis, with hundreds of women in labour being turned away from hospitals because they are full."
"Additionally, overstretched maternity units shut their doors to any more women in labour on 553 occasions last year."
Is this your idea of "better healthcare"?
eskimospy...I think we want the same thing. To most...it's clear that we do have a reasonably good system...that could use some major reforms. But a radical change to the system is risky and many fear that it will likely result in higher costs and lower quality care...something I hope that neither of us wants.