Posted on 04/30/2013 11:33:54 AM PDT by RobertSouthwell
If you want a glimpse into the future of Obamacare, take a look at the hospital where I was born, in a small coal-mining and smelting factory town outside of Pittsburgh. The mines and factories closed down long ago, and while fracking is bringing some new, younger faces into the area, it’s still mostly comprised of seniors and low-income people. Consequently, the local hospital relies heavily on Medicare and Medicaid payments, and it’s going bankrupt. A white knight then appeared in the form of Highmark, part of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. And as of April 30, Blue Cross in western Pennsylvania will be transforming itself from being an insurer to actually owning and running hospitals and labs -- and having medical staff on the payroll. One of the first changes the new management has requested is a 30 percent increase in reimbursement rates for this year, with 10 percent annual escalators to follow. What’s happening now in western Pennsylvania is indicative of what we can expect under Obamacare. As more and more people are brought into the Medicare and Medicaid systems, hospitals mainly serving those populations will not survive without large subsidies from those with private insurance. This means, simply, you and me.
(Excerpt) Read more at ibtimes.com ...
He paints a really down picture of the Highmark-West Penn Allegheny merger. But without it UPMC would have a virtual health care monopoly in this town.
I’m a UPMC customer and I am very satisfied with their service.
How many asigned “Case Managers” are around in the halls and rooms, ready to sign up as many patients as possible for “social services”, right into their homes, upon discharge?
Do you think you would be satisfied if they were the only game in town?
UPMC might be the most profitable "nonprofits" ever. And they have multiple times used their nonprofit status to take market share from for profit providers. The are a near monopoly and pushing to drive any competitor out of business.
Give me some competition, and allow me to decide.
I remember making a similar argument years ago about Microsoft.
But "Conservatives" stood behind Bill Gates and blamed the mean, nasty Antitrust Division for picking on him.
UPMC has given me decent service. I repeat - I'm satisfied with them.
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