Government Can't Bend the Healthcare Cost Curve

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Let's start with taking away the anti-trust status of health insurance companies, what has essentially been government granted monopolies - enough of this corporate welfare that delivers the massive profiteering gravy train of 20% annual increase in healthcare costs - its just corporate socialism. Let them compete in free markets.
Of course, Govts can bend the healthcare cost curve. Other countries with efficient healthcare systems are proof, and any single-payer plan would cut cost by 1/3 real promptly.
There is plenty of evidence that government-run systems have succeeding in bending the cost curve and the VA system is the the most cost efficient healthcare program in this country.
Again we get the healthcare industry position here that reform isn't necessary and more of the same old Bush line to let the industry regulate itself, collude for inevitable massive profiteering, and continue to rape the American economy.

Jason of AZ 5:06PM October 23, 2009

Government overhead is much less plus they dictate price. Those people who love for-profit insurance are not the ones paying for it. Government has one contract.Private insurers have a separate contract with each payer and customer. How crazy is that? Medicare Advantage may or may not be better than Medicare but it costs lots more because private insurance is run so badly. I have worked with them.
If you are paying 100% for your private insurance, please present an opposing view.

Eriemaster of OH 1:48PM October 23, 2009

They found me. A caring Metering system is good. the Sick need company-fund that(social workers)Means jobs not rich pharma solutions. University study and was funded. Pharma find other remedys but not as good as basic. Salm,caye. Evil will not stop trying to defile. Christan nhl and bl did not help small citys and be ready for crude competetition. Industry nation not caring but crazed groups. Come on Andy jesus soccer 2.0 idea. CMC, soapbox music. IL hills! Psa99:9-outside pray. Rev 12:9- fools us. 1 croitnh 14:26. Faith in holiness decisions.

andy tucker of IN 12:36PM October 23, 2009

I'm not sure what study you're referring to Mr. Roff, it seems absent from your editorial. I can only tell you what I have experienced, and what just about every other American has experienced - 15 to 25% Healthcare cost increases every year over the past decade or longer through combinations of rising premiums and higher deductions.
Despite your best efforts to proclaim black is white and vice versa - the American people already know the truth about Health Care. We're getting ripped off by Health Insurance monopolies and those folks funnel money to people like to make sure that their profits and our suffering never ends.

Stephen Lahanas of OH 10:53AM October 23, 2009