tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32053362.post8856525896656032770..comments2024-03-26T00:25:34.026-04:00Comments on Not Running a Hospital: Passion, accuracy, and politicsPaul Levyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17065446378970179507noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32053362.post-12321927156026701312010-03-10T18:11:42.203-05:002010-03-10T18:11:42.203-05:00Part of the President’s problem is that he has des...Part of the President’s problem is that he has described the proposed bill as health care reform. It would be more accurate to describe it as an expansion of taxpayer-financed, fee-for service healthcare, combined with some new regulations for health insurance companies. Other than some clearly needed protections for consumers with pre-existing health conditions, there is very little reform in the bill. There is no equalization of the tax treatment of insurance purchased by individuals separately, compared to individuals who buy insurance through their employers. The vast majority of health care will still be purchased based on disaggregated fee-for-service inputs instead of integrated patient outcomes. There is no mechanism to improve price transparency. <br /><br />By expanding access to care without changing the way it is purchased, the total cost of healthcare can only go up. These costs will be realized by consumers as a combination of new taxes, higher health insurance costs and longer waiting times.<br /><br />Protections for pre-existing conditions and improved access for the uninsured are worthy goals. But this is not reform.<br /><br />Steve RauscherSteven M. Rauscherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16282982165993207195noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32053362.post-22550082240290258072010-03-10T15:30:21.897-05:002010-03-10T15:30:21.897-05:00You raise very good points. The scale of the bill ...You raise very good points. The scale of the bill is too big. We need to reform a few key items at a time, so the public understands what is being done and trusts the process.<br /><br />We will repost your thoughts on our blog today for our readers to see as well - on www.actionforbetterhealthcare.com<br /><br />All the best - <br />Kester FreemanAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32053362.post-85025361139704744882010-03-09T11:24:17.875-05:002010-03-09T11:24:17.875-05:00Well said, Dr. Levy. Part of the challenge with th...Well said, Dr. Levy. Part of the challenge with these types of sweeping policy changes is the need to over-simply in order to deliver the message to a less informed or sophisticated audience. The irony, as you point out, is this can lead to overstatements which, in turn, undermine the credibility of the overall message and can backfire in the end. BTW, I have been interviewing for a position at BIDMC and I am very impressed that you as CEO have embraced a blog. It's well done. Regardless of what happens for me, I wish you and your organization great success. RICK SWEENEYRICKSTERhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11382101684431881514noreply@blogger.com