We can treat a lot of stuff (like AIDS) that we couldn't used to. That is an improvement, not an increase in cost.
If people are paying, they make more rational choices. For instance, if a generic is 10% cheaper, they might still get the brand name. But, if it is 90% cheaper they will probably go with the generic.
I know lots of middle class people here in the midwest who have gotten elective surgery. Maybe you guys out in LA are paying too much of your $$$ for housing...
Poverty doesn't cause health problems, a poor lifestyle does. Go to a Sam's and you can buy a huge sack of rice + some veggies for minimal $$$. It costs more to get a big bag of Dorito's. You are practicing the soft bigotry of low expectations. Shame on you.
I thought you liberals were supposed to be compassionate? You don't think the middle class has stress?
No. It's an improvement AND an increase in cost. Is it a frivolity to be foregone by a rational self-payer? Only if you don't have cancer (or AIDS) and know for sure you won't get it.
If people are paying, they make more rational choices
Is it rational to choose to die or get really sick because you can't pay for treatment? Is it rational to drive around in a ratty old car because you want your kids to go to a good school? Is it rational to pay for medical treatment for your kids rather than for yourself? Many people face really hard choices.
I know lots of middle class people here in the midwest who have gotten elective surgery. Maybe you guys out in LA are paying too much of your $$$ for housing...
Yes, middle class people get elective surgery too.
No, people in LA are paying market price for their housing.
No. I'm just being realistic.
Not every poor person has a bad diet, or a drug problem, or AIDS. Not every rich person is free of these things. But there is a relationship...because the poor generally have less ability and less intelligence of all kinds...and, by definition, far less resources to use to recover from their errors.
Of course, the middle classes have stress...but do you think it increases or decreases when they lose their jobs and can't pay their bills?
You state what should be obvious to everyone. The solution to health care is competition, which is as simple as one, two, three:
1. Do away with third-party payments. All insurance payments (including Medicare) go to the insured so the insured has an incentive to shop for the lowest priced services.
2. Make health-care providers quote their prices as part of their service contract like any other professional. There can be no competition without a price.
3. The price should preferably be an hourly rate. Procedure-based reimbursement (promoted by the government, naturally) has allowed doctors to unbundle their services and charge for practically every flick of the wrist. Hourly rates are at least limited by the number of hours in the day.
As simple as this is in principle, I've yet to hear any sense from a politician.