The Broken State of American Health Insurance Before Obamacare

[suzeandtodfoster]

Rituparna Basu's arguments are deeply flawed. This is more of a persuasive writing assignment than analysis of these important issues.

The biggest flaw in her argument is that most hospitals and doctors don't tell an uninsured human being, "Sorry, no insurance, no money, you'll have to just suffer, heal it yourself or die"  Econ 101 teaches that those hospital bills get paid…..by ever-increasing health care premiums on everyone else, particularly those buying on the individual markets.

 Obamacare is neither a poison or cure.  Obamacare changes health care delivery to a results-based system of payment. Obamacare does not reward doctors who do more and more testing. Obamacare rewards docs who treat patients effectively and efficiently and who achieve better and better treatment results.  Not a cure, but a beginning.

As to less gov't is always better - we'd be driving on some pretty crappy roads and bridges in rural areas if this was left to the private sector.  Gov't has it's place.  Health care regulation and delivery is one place where Gov't can play an effective role.

I'm curious - how many people support the Republican's proposal for repealing Obamacare?  It keeps many features of Obamacare, but taxes everyone who gets health insurance through work.  

[KristinSpradling]

It seems medical costs would become more affordable in a competitive market, a big reason why health insurance is hindering effective health care.

[akrylic_]

My left ear now understands the problems in Obamacare.

[atruswonder]

Thank you! I really enjoy and respect common sense. It's very easy to see.

[JReynolds]

Less government is always better! And nothing is free, and that is how the public was pulled in.

[MrApplewine]

I heard that you could have given each person that didn't have insurance something like 1 million dollars for the cost of Obamacare.