Originally posted by: QuantumPion
Originally posted by: GTKeeper
2) I think nationalizing health care is an extreme step. I think the correct step for the government to take at this moment is to leverage its massive spending power to get drug companies / medical equipment companies to lower overall prices the government pays. Right now the GOP has shot down the last two major attempts to do that. What do you suggest?
I don't know about you, but on average health care premiums have doubled in the last 6 years or so.... are we going to let insurance companies / medical companies keep charging what they want?
There is no such thing as a free lunch. The government does not have a giant pile of free money to give to everyone, to reduce the price of gasoline, to reduce the price of health care, or anything else. The government cannot wave a magic wand and say "okay, these pills now only cost $5 instead of $50." That is not how the world works.
Health care premiums are increasing because of runaway insurance coverage. Because so many people have comprehensive insurance that covers all medical expenses, from check-ups to bandaids, there is no downward pressure on price. If you don't care what you are paying for health care, because "it's covered", then you won't shop around for a better price. As the price of common health care services increases, more and more people get comprehensive insurance to pay for it, creating feedback loop. That is why a one-night hospital stay costs $10,000, Tylenol $100, etc.
The free market solutions to the health care problem are to:
a) enact tort reform so doctors aren't afraid to practice medicine without being sued for $1,000,000 from every other patient.
b) ease the burden of non-payers off of hospitals from illegal immigrants some how. (I haven't thought this through, but possibly making the state pay for the hospital costs will entice them to better control their own borders).
c) offer tax write-offs and other stimulus for people that pay for their own health care with cash, offer big incentives for high-deductible HSA-type coverage instead of comprehensive coverage, and if necessary, disincentives for full comprehensive plans.