You clearly have a limited comprehension of how the health care industry is financed. Rather than suckling at the government teat, health care providers must acquiesce to government price controls, regardless of who is paying the bill. Federal and state laws also limit institutional recourse when a "customer" lacks the funds to pay. In other words, we are probably the only industry that is required by law to give our services away. Medicare and Medicaid reimbursment schedules are lower than any free-market could possibly allow, so the teat you speak of often leaves us hungrier than we were before meal time.
Yes, if we decided to pay nurses a million dollars a year, yippee, no more shortage. But where in the hell do you think the money to pay them that would come from? Believe me, my organization would love to compete head to head with other providers out there, no-holds-barred. But because so much of the electorate believes quality health care is a "right" and not something that should be compensated for based on value, we have the system we do. That's why the next time you have to go the emergency room (heaven forbid), you'll likely be in line behind some destitute child with a hangnail, who will use $1000 in time and resources for free.
I did not say the government was generous or even fair but due to that regulation you speak of and the fact that medicare, medicaid and private insurance covers most of the health care costs in the USA I stand by my staement taht it is a government financed and controlled industry.
Yes, if we decided to pay nurses a million dollars a year, yippee, no more shortage. But where in the hell do you think the money to pay them that would come from? Believe me, my organization would love to compete head to head with other providers out there, no-holds-barred. But because so much of the electorate believes quality health care is a "right" and not something that should be compensated for based on value, we have the system we do. That's why the next time you have to go the emergency room (heaven forbid), you'll likely be in line behind some destitute child with a hangnail, who will use $1000 in time and resources for free.
Actually you are a victim of socialism and I will conceed that as long as we have government price controlls on medical care we will have problems providing adequate care. Such has long been recognized as a problemand should be addressed seprately. So perhaps we should only have H1B visas for the health care industry. The problem is that will suprress the long term supply of labor in that field. You state dyou would love to compete head to head in a free market envirornment. I most certainly would love for you to be able to do so. The simple fact is your pricing should reflect your costs including your reasonable labor cvosts for nursing staff without having to recruit outside the USA. You will note that i have no qualms about legal immigrants working in the field. One of the problems facing you and others in the field of Medical administration is that the reguilation is so extreme. I have already had that emergency room wait you talk about. I personally really wish I cvould be treated at a vetrinary hospital. I think my dog gets better medical care than I do but that is just my personal view. I realize taht it is the government regulations that cause this. I suggest you re-read my points with particular emphasis on the changes to the regulatory envirornment.