It's good stuff, but IMHO there is one central issue that must be addressed - but, regrettably, I seem to be the only one talking about it -- the costs are unacceptably high. Any reform that will allow the costs to remain so high will not solve the problem. I believe that our healthcare is so expensive because we have too many people making a living in and around the industry. Too many regulators at all levels, from HHS down to the state, county and town departments; too many paper pushers and supervisors over supervisors. Coders, reviewers, appeal specialists, etc., etc., etc.
Complexity is what's expensive. We need deregulation and we need to simplify things, otherwise we will go broke. As I said before, it is totally obscene that a visit to an Emergency department is likely to cost more than what a working person is able to earn in a month. And it's not just predatory billing. Hospitals make a profit, but they are not rolling in money. Their costs are high. The question is - WHY. |
