Public/Private Health Insurance vs Single Payer
May 12, 2009
– Comments (27)
In his post explaining that a public health insurance program will inevitably lead to mandatory death sentences as in the "Logans Run" movie, and suggesting a private for profit insurance model will avoid that, even under the same pressures, uclayoda86 asked me this question;
Do you really believe that a single payer would provide good services for everyone and cost $2 Trillion less?
Which is a fair question for me, having voiced my support for H.R 676, a bill which would provide Single Payer and eliminate the $350,000,000,000 dollars wasted through the inefficiency of the private for-profit, multiple payer system now in place.
The question however, was do I really believe that the expected savings from a Single Payer system will actually materialize.
According to the Nationmaster database:
The United States has a 2008 population of 300,000,000, of which 50,000,000 are uninsured. In 2004 the United States spent $1,847,088,000,000 on healthcare.
The total 2008 population of Germany, France, the U.K, Canada, Swizerland and Denmark is also 250 million, and represents a variety of "socialized, government run, healthcare" systems.
In 2004 Germany spent $288,722,000,000, France spent $211,304,000,000. U.K. spent $173,904,000,000. Canada spent $100,221,000,000. Swizerland spent $50,139,000,000 and Denmark spent $19,480,000,000.
Total combined spending in 2004 is $843,770,000,000.
One Trillion less in 2004 than the USA spent to insure a comparable number of people.
Even if you decide that the US spending covers 300mil people through free walk in emergency rooms, and add that 20% additional spending to the Government run systems, you still spend $830billion less each year.
Is it possible we pay Doctors and Nurses, 80% better in the United States than in the compared Countries? I suppose it is. Is it also possible, as the Doctors and Nurses of www.pnhp.org claim that the excessive beaurocratic paperwork of the private insurers wastes $350bil each year. I suppose it is. This clue from the Herzing online University suggests it is;
Medical Billing and Insurance Coding — Career OutlookMedical Records and Health Information employment will continue to grow at a rate of 18% through 2016—much faster than the average for all occupations, according to the US Department of Labor. Technicians with a strong background in medical coding will especially be in demand.
Medical Billing and Insurance Coding — Career PathsProperly trained Medical Billing and Insurance Coding professionals are in very high demand across the health care industry. Positions exists in all areas of health care including doctors’ offices, insurance companies, hospitals, clinics, assisted living facilities, or any other health care provider. Examples of career paths for Herzing University graduates include:
Medical Coder Insurance Claims Analyst Coding Specialist Abstractor Medical Office Assistant Coding Technician Medical Billing Specialist Medical Clerk Health Information Specialist Graduates of the Herzing University Medical Billing and Insurance Coding programs will be positioned to work as either a Medical Biller or Medical Coder. They may also choose to incorporate both career paths as some employers seek one person who is capable of performing both functions.
Starting pay is fully three times the cost of a health insurance policy.
You can reach your Congressman and voice support for H.R.676 at 202-224-3121.
Sometimes the smartest investment is not an equity.
Single Payers detractors suggest that a Single Payer system will result in long waits and denial of services. Single Payers supporters say the private insurers already cause that. Single Payers detractors say Government interference is the problem. Single Payers supporters say using Private Insurers to run medicaid/medicare programs is the problem. Single Payers detractors say people should make better choices and earn more money so they deserve healthcare. Single Payers supporters tell their stories.
Here is Trisha's story:
TrishaSomewhere between Flint and Detroit, MIHeathcare Status: Employer InsuredI finally obtained a job where the employer provided the insurance they promised. It felt good to have insurance, finally, after years of either going without or having to "ride the system". What an accomplishment! Being a newlywed, I got surprised with a little blessing shortly into my new job. From the moment I found out I was pregnant, my experience with Aetna and the medical community has been nothing short of hell on earth.
My first OBBYN wanted me to sign a statement saying I'd pay $3200+ for "general prenatal care and delivery charges" on top of pre billing Aetna the maximum amount. I got one ultrasound done there and went to a new OBGYN. The ultrasound was denied by Aetna, since "it was coded incorrectly, Aetna labeled it experimental" and isn't obligated to pay it. The Dr.'s office assures me it is labeled correctly "Aetna is just like that". The debt collector told me to quit trying to commit insurance fraud by getting the Dr. office to recode it properly and resend it. Oy.
Long story short, Aetna has denied E-V-E-R-Y single bill submitted for one excuse or another. I call, and they say, "oh, I see what the problem is...I'll fix it and send it back through." Then they don't. And this is only for having a baby! I can't imagine had I have actually gotten ill or had a larger health issue! And the dental? It's a joke. I quit paying my dental with Aenta and went back to paying cash out of pocket for my dental care because it was cheaper that way.
So here I sit, with my newborn babe, fully insured and THOUSANDS of dollars in the hole while others around me get State insurance and never see a bill. It sucks to feel like you're getting punished for trying to be a responsible contributor to this wreck of a society we belong to.
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