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Politics : Mainstream Politics and Economics -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: sm1th who wrote (9674)	2/18/2012 11:40:56 AM
From: Little Joe	Respond to of 85487

"In general the list price is irrelevant, and only paid by someone uninsured and paying themselves. Every insurance company negotiates prices with each provider. In some cases, the provider has all of the leverage in others the insurer does. We had a situation about a year ago where the 3rd largest insurer in the state (Tufts Health plan) refused the payment schedule demanded by the largest hospital group (Partners Health Care). After a lot of threats, the insurer caved, they couldn't afford to lose access to several of the state's best hospitals. If it had been Blue Cross, the outcome would probably have been reversed, since no hospital could give up 60% of the population." I understand the problem. I also think it is inherently wrong to charge someone who is private pay more, which in effect, requires them to fund the uninsured which should be the responsibility of the government, if they are poor, or the responsibility of the patient if they are not. Ordinarily I would not favor the government enforcing such a provision, but it is largely the government's fault that the problem exists. lj