Comments on: Obamacare: Cheaper than you think http://moremoney.blogs.money.cnn.com/2009/06/28/obamacare-cheaper-than-you-think/ Money Magazine looks at a wide range of personal finance issues and asks for your feedback. Tue, 22 Dec 2009 00:19:01 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Mike, Denver Colorado http://moremoney.blogs.money.cnn.com/2009/06/28/obamacare-cheaper-than-you-think/#comment-19407 Mike, Denver Colorado Mon, 27 Jul 2009 20:49:56 +0000 http://moneyfeatures.blogs.money.cnn.com/?p=1445#comment-19407 If you want to reduce health care costs start by reducing the cost to doctors and hospitals. According to AMA in 2007 there were 921,900 physicians in the USA who pay an annual average of $150,000 in medical malpractice insurance. While this adds up to $138 billion in cost there was only $3.7 billion paid out in claims according to the Kaiser Family Statehealthfacts.org. Where did the other $135 billion go? Attorneys? I find it outrageous that President Obama wants to control doctors salaries but leave untouched attorneys. If you control doctors salaries then you need to control all of the other portions of costs that go into medical malpractice. No I am not a doctor. Just an individual who has done some financial digging. If you want to reduce health care costs start by reducing the cost to doctors and hospitals. According to AMA in 2007 there were 921,900 physicians in the USA who pay an annual average of $150,000 in medical malpractice insurance. While this adds up to $138 billion in cost there was only $3.7 billion paid out in claims according to the Kaiser Family Statehealthfacts.org. Where did the other $135 billion go? Attorneys?

I find it outrageous that President Obama wants to control doctors salaries but leave untouched attorneys. If you control doctors salaries then you need to control all of the other portions of costs that go into medical malpractice.

No I am not a doctor. Just an individual who has done some financial digging.

]]> By: Sam Springfield Mo http://moremoney.blogs.money.cnn.com/2009/06/28/obamacare-cheaper-than-you-think/#comment-18550 Sam Springfield Mo Sat, 18 Jul 2009 15:12:35 +0000 http://moneyfeatures.blogs.money.cnn.com/?p=1445#comment-18550 First no one has the right to tell my love one they should just go to a corner and die, second members of congress have exempted themselves from their own health care plan for a reason, third member of congress are wealthy enough to pay for health care for everyone so lets tap their wealth and third if anyone needs to lose a few pounds it's our porky representatives. First no one has the right to tell my love one they should just go to a corner and die, second members of congress have exempted themselves from their own health care plan for a reason, third member of congress are wealthy enough to pay for health care for everyone so lets tap their wealth and third if anyone needs to lose a few pounds it's our porky representatives.

]]> By: mike, spokane wa http://moremoney.blogs.money.cnn.com/2009/06/28/obamacare-cheaper-than-you-think/#comment-18067 mike, spokane wa Sat, 04 Jul 2009 22:25:30 +0000 http://moneyfeatures.blogs.money.cnn.com/?p=1445#comment-18067 comment by tim That is why they are 3rd world countries. Socialism works only until you run out of other peoples money. And capitalism works until all your money flows to the rich and you have no more left to buy what they are selling. Why aren't people spending, because they don't have any money. How does anyone expect working citizens to get more money so they can spend it without some kind of intervention. Unless you can convince the rich to start spending their money on products made here and not putting their money into other businesses, that will fail anyways then what should we do. Oh ya the first income tax was brought in by the republican party by the way.. comment by tim That is why they are 3rd world countries. Socialism works only until you run out of other peoples money.

And capitalism works until all your money flows to the rich and you have no more left to buy what they are selling. Why aren't people spending, because they don't have any money. How does anyone expect working citizens to get more money so they can spend it without some kind of intervention. Unless you can convince the rich to start spending their money on products made here and not putting their money into other businesses, that will fail anyways then what should we do.

Oh ya the first income tax was brought in by the republican party by the way..

]]> By: will,charlotte,nc http://moremoney.blogs.money.cnn.com/2009/06/28/obamacare-cheaper-than-you-think/#comment-17922 will,charlotte,nc Wed, 01 Jul 2009 21:07:26 +0000 http://moneyfeatures.blogs.money.cnn.com/?p=1445#comment-17922 And Peter raises and interesting question. Although it is appropriate for individuals to help one another, is it ethical/moral to force someone to pay for anothers care? The greatest at risk minority in this country is the indiviual. And Peter raises and interesting question. Although it is appropriate for individuals to help one another, is it ethical/moral to force someone to pay for anothers care? The greatest at risk minority in this country is the indiviual.

]]> By: will, charlotte,nc http://moremoney.blogs.money.cnn.com/2009/06/28/obamacare-cheaper-than-you-think/#comment-17921 will, charlotte,nc Wed, 01 Jul 2009 20:51:33 +0000 http://moneyfeatures.blogs.money.cnn.com/?p=1445#comment-17921 Americans don't want health reform. They want something simple. Why can't you order a la carte insurance. ie office visits and disaster coverage. 30 year olds don't need heart bypass coverage and 50 year old don't need IVF coverage. At least let people purchase coverage across state lines like we do with term life insurance. This would give your more choice and more competition w/o any cost to gov't. Americans don't want health reform. They want something simple. Why can't you order a la carte insurance. ie office visits and disaster coverage. 30 year olds don't need heart bypass coverage and 50 year old don't need IVF coverage. At least let people purchase coverage across state lines like we do with term life insurance. This would give your more choice and more competition w/o any cost to gov't.

]]> By: will,charlotte,nc http://moremoney.blogs.money.cnn.com/2009/06/28/obamacare-cheaper-than-you-think/#comment-17920 will,charlotte,nc Wed, 01 Jul 2009 20:48:04 +0000 http://moneyfeatures.blogs.money.cnn.com/?p=1445#comment-17920 The ONLY way to start controlling costs is to put the person receiving the service in charge of paying by either a higher deductible or paying a percent instead of a flat copay. Everything else can come after that. Patients who pay $10 for an office visit or an MRI don't care about costs but they would if they had a role in the decision. Never doubt the benefits of personal responsibility. The ONLY way to start controlling costs is to put the person receiving the service in charge of paying by either a higher deductible or paying a percent instead of a flat copay. Everything else can come after that. Patients who pay $10 for an office visit or an MRI don't care about costs but they would if they had a role in the decision. Never doubt the benefits of personal responsibility.

]]> By: Liz, Garden Grove, CA http://moremoney.blogs.money.cnn.com/2009/06/28/obamacare-cheaper-than-you-think/#comment-17909 Liz, Garden Grove, CA Tue, 30 Jun 2009 22:10:59 +0000 http://moneyfeatures.blogs.money.cnn.com/?p=1445#comment-17909 There is a bigger issue here. We have too many people using the Emergency Room as a free clinic, as they have no healthcare and they are here illegally. I really needed the ER one evening due to a dog bite, but there were so many people there with colds and coughing, I did not have time to wait and treated myself at home. If we would allow the illegal immigrants to become US citizens, they could file tax returns and pay taxes for hospital care and education. If we let them pay their fair share, we might not need a bail out from a government hand out. We need to close the borders and stop treating people in our hospitals and giving their children free education to people that don't belong here legally. If they really want to become an American, let them and accept their tax income to help our great nation. There is a bigger issue here. We have too many people using the Emergency Room as a free clinic, as they have no healthcare and they are here illegally. I really needed the ER one evening due to a dog bite, but there were so many people there with colds and coughing, I did not have time to wait and treated myself at home.

If we would allow the illegal immigrants to become US citizens, they could file tax returns and pay taxes for hospital care and education. If we let them pay their fair share, we might not need a bail out from a government hand out. We need to close the borders and stop treating people in our hospitals and giving their children free education to people that don't belong here legally. If they really want to become an American, let them and accept their tax income to help our great nation.

]]> By: Petex, Houston Tx http://moremoney.blogs.money.cnn.com/2009/06/28/obamacare-cheaper-than-you-think/#comment-17893 Petex, Houston Tx Tue, 30 Jun 2009 18:18:05 +0000 http://moneyfeatures.blogs.money.cnn.com/?p=1445#comment-17893 If Americans were to love their neighbors they wouldn't be so much concerned about some of their pennies going into providing coverage for others. Everyone in this country minds his/her business without giving a damn what is happening to the next door neighbor, infact they don't even care to know who lives next door....what a society!!!! We prefer to have perfect health care for our families and watch the next door neighbor die of a little sickness because he couldn't afford health insurance...and then we go out to save the rest of the world from their problems? If Americans were to love their neighbors they wouldn't be so much concerned about some of their pennies going into providing coverage for others. Everyone in this country minds his/her business without giving a damn what is happening to the next door neighbor, infact they don't even care to know who lives next door….what a society!!!! We prefer to have perfect health care for our families and watch the next door neighbor die of a little sickness because he couldn't afford health insurance…and then we go out to save the rest of the world from their problems?

]]> By: April, Raleigh, NC http://moremoney.blogs.money.cnn.com/2009/06/28/obamacare-cheaper-than-you-think/#comment-17867 April, Raleigh, NC Tue, 30 Jun 2009 16:31:50 +0000 http://moneyfeatures.blogs.money.cnn.com/?p=1445#comment-17867 A third-party payer system, where neither the seller nor the buyer care about the price, can logically be expected to encourage higher prices. This is just common sense people. Health "insurance" (which should really be called just coverage because it's nothing like insurance), is the problem, not the solution. For those who poopoo the fear that competition will be destroyed...what happens when you throw in a third party that has a limitless supply of funds (or at thinks and acts like it does)? How can other insurers compete with that? Does anyone remember what was said about Amtrak when the government took it over? How many different providers of passenger rail service are there? Thinking. It's the new black. A third-party payer system, where neither the seller nor the buyer care about the price, can logically be expected to encourage higher prices.

This is just common sense people. Health "insurance" (which should really be called just coverage because it's nothing like insurance), is the problem, not the solution.

For those who poopoo the fear that competition will be destroyed…what happens when you throw in a third party that has a limitless supply of funds (or at thinks and acts like it does)? How can other insurers compete with that?

Does anyone remember what was said about Amtrak when the government took it over?

How many different providers of passenger rail service are there?

Thinking. It's the new black.

]]> By: Fritz, Denver, CO http://moremoney.blogs.money.cnn.com/2009/06/28/obamacare-cheaper-than-you-think/#comment-17865 Fritz, Denver, CO Tue, 30 Jun 2009 16:16:08 +0000 http://moneyfeatures.blogs.money.cnn.com/?p=1445#comment-17865 Government run health care is the VA. Very scary! Everyone has health care in the U.S. but not everyone has insurance. The numbers reported of those without health care include illegals and many people already elgible for government programs but are too lazy to sign up. Many others prioritize differently and do not choose to sign up for employer sponsored care. That is their free choice to make and they are free to spend the money on whatever they like. We are all going to be taxed beyond reality to pay for obamacare and it is a means of wealth redistribution by making those who work hard pay for those who do not. But this should not be a surprise since an apparent majority voted for socialism this past election. Well, socialism is what we are going to get. Welcome to the USSA! Government run health care is the VA. Very scary!

Everyone has health care in the U.S. but not everyone has insurance. The numbers reported of those without health care include illegals and many people already elgible for government programs but are too lazy to sign up. Many others prioritize differently and do not choose to sign up for employer sponsored care. That is their free choice to make and they are free to spend the money on whatever they like.

We are all going to be taxed beyond reality to pay for obamacare and it is a means of wealth redistribution by making those who work hard pay for those who do not. But this should not be a surprise since an apparent majority voted for socialism this past election. Well, socialism is what we are going to get. Welcome to the USSA!

]]> By: Mary Pryor, Port Orange, Florida http://moremoney.blogs.money.cnn.com/2009/06/28/obamacare-cheaper-than-you-think/#comment-17858 Mary Pryor, Port Orange, Florida Tue, 30 Jun 2009 15:29:43 +0000 http://moneyfeatures.blogs.money.cnn.com/?p=1445#comment-17858 I'd like to know what kind of insurance the Congress/Senate have that the taxpayers pay for and how much they pay into it (probably nothing). I'd like to know what kind of insurance the Congress/Senate have that the taxpayers pay for and how much they pay into it (probably nothing).

]]> By: Kenneth Jehling, Frisco Texas http://moremoney.blogs.money.cnn.com/2009/06/28/obamacare-cheaper-than-you-think/#comment-17857 Kenneth Jehling, Frisco Texas Tue, 30 Jun 2009 15:29:16 +0000 http://moneyfeatures.blogs.money.cnn.com/?p=1445#comment-17857 A public plan will cause business to drop their health coverages for employees--I work in this area and businesses are already talking about this--- the private companies will go out of business because they cannot compete with the subsidized government plan----this leaves us with a government run health care system between me and my doctor and also means less care will be approved for older people-- that is what happens in these kind of systems---what a way to control social security costs--what a way to reduce health care costs---deny treatment in the last 15% of life when most costs are incurred by just letting the old folks die. A public plan will cause business to drop their health coverages for employees–I work in this area and businesses are already talking about this— the private companies will go out of business because they cannot compete with the subsidized government plan—-this leaves us with a government run health care system between me and my doctor and also means less care will be approved for older people– that is what happens in these kind of systems—what a way to control social security costs–what a way to reduce health care costs—deny treatment in the last 15% of life when most costs are incurred by just letting the old folks die.

]]> By: Ed, Washington DC http://moremoney.blogs.money.cnn.com/2009/06/28/obamacare-cheaper-than-you-think/#comment-17849 Ed, Washington DC Tue, 30 Jun 2009 14:46:34 +0000 http://moneyfeatures.blogs.money.cnn.com/?p=1445#comment-17849 If the government cannot contain the cost increases and fraud in the current Medicare and Medicade programs, what makes anyone think they will do a better job with a vastly larger government bureaucracy? If the government cannot contain the cost increases and fraud in the current Medicare and Medicade programs, what makes anyone think they will do a better job with a vastly larger government bureaucracy?

]]> By: George, Spokane, WA http://moremoney.blogs.money.cnn.com/2009/06/28/obamacare-cheaper-than-you-think/#comment-17847 George, Spokane, WA Tue, 30 Jun 2009 14:33:52 +0000 http://moneyfeatures.blogs.money.cnn.com/?p=1445#comment-17847 Let's talk some facts. Currently healthcare in the United States costs 18% of the 14 trillion dollar gross national product. That's a little better than 2.5 trillion dollars a year, not ten years. In fact, Health care costs almost twice as much per capita in the U.S. than in the next highest country. There are 50 million people in the U.S. without health insurance and many more under insured. Many of these people get their care from locla public health districts, public and charitable hospitals, often in the emergency room. These costs are passed on to the cost of medicare, medicaid and private insurance to some degree. In surance comapnies spend up to 19% of premiums on administrative costs in addition to a profit margin of at least 10%, all to try and stop paying benefits. Because of this, doctors and hospitals have to hire many people to try and thread the maze of hundreds, (as many as 1500), different policies thus roughly matching the 19%, in order to get your bill paid. In opposition, Medicare's administrative costs are about 3.5% and the Veteran's administration does it for about 0.5%. Drugs cost from one third to 75% more in the U.S. than in Canada or Mexico for the same drugs, manufacured by the same companies. Two things are clear. One is that the private sector has been a miserable failure in healthcare. The other is that enough money is already beind spent on healthcare to cover every person in the United States. Just like in every other industrial country in the world, 38 of who have much better healthcare outcomes than we do at half he price. Lastly, I am degreed in economics and there is not now, nor has there ever been free markets. Let's talk some facts. Currently healthcare in the United States costs 18% of the 14 trillion dollar gross national product. That's a little better than 2.5 trillion dollars a year, not ten years. In fact, Health care costs almost twice as much per capita in the U.S. than in the next highest country. There are 50 million people in the U.S. without health insurance and many more under insured. Many of these people get their care from locla public health districts, public and charitable hospitals, often in the emergency room. These costs are passed on to the cost of medicare, medicaid and private insurance to some degree. In surance comapnies spend up to 19% of premiums on administrative costs in addition to a profit margin of at least 10%, all to try and stop paying benefits. Because of this, doctors and hospitals have to hire many people to try and thread the maze of hundreds, (as many as 1500), different policies thus roughly matching the 19%, in order to get your bill paid. In opposition, Medicare's administrative costs are about 3.5% and the Veteran's administration does it for about 0.5%. Drugs cost from one third to 75% more in the U.S. than in Canada or Mexico for the same drugs, manufacured by the same companies.

Two things are clear. One is that the private sector has been a miserable failure in healthcare. The other is that enough money is already beind spent on healthcare to cover every person in the United States. Just like in every other industrial country in the world, 38 of who have much better healthcare outcomes than we do at half he price. Lastly, I am degreed in economics and there is not now, nor has there ever been free markets.

]]> By: Nashville, Dave http://moremoney.blogs.money.cnn.com/2009/06/28/obamacare-cheaper-than-you-think/#comment-17845 Nashville, Dave Tue, 30 Jun 2009 14:25:27 +0000 http://moneyfeatures.blogs.money.cnn.com/?p=1445#comment-17845 Hey fellow PRODUCERS..... Google: THIDWICK - The big hearted Moose Read the story! Join Me 'Shed your antlers' SWEEET! Hey fellow PRODUCERS….. Google:

THIDWICK – The big hearted Moose

Read the story!

Join Me 'Shed your antlers'

SWEEET!

]]> By: Nashville Dave http://moremoney.blogs.money.cnn.com/2009/06/28/obamacare-cheaper-than-you-think/#comment-17843 Nashville Dave Tue, 30 Jun 2009 14:15:52 +0000 http://moneyfeatures.blogs.money.cnn.com/?p=1445#comment-17843 Hey fellow PRODUCERS...... Just let them do it! Open the Commie/ Socialism flood gates full on! Stop fighting: relax!....... BRING IT ON! let AmeriKa collapse in on itself: We are just about there..... let's prove once and for all and see if Commie/ Socialism works.... After the collapse, the Government can go back to providing BASIC governmental services..... Get out from under all of the touchy feeely 'Momma make it better' government programs...... AmeriKA is the TITANIC you will NOT stop the sinking ...it's done deal... WAY to many people on the Government DOLE!!! PRODUCERS are VASTLY out numbered in AmeriKA!!! Come Join me on the top Deck of the TITANIC, enjoy a Brandy & Cigar: Watch all of the free entertainment watching people on the Government DOLE, run all over the ship going NUTZ when the MASSIVE cutbacks happen...like California??? SWEEEEEEEEEET! I myself have cut back no less than 80 % I am 54 and semi retired out of total debt, just work a day or two now a week, No point in exerting myself...... only to be made a fool of paying more than HALF of what I make in TAXES supporting the TITANIC! Join me CUT BACK on your labors... STOP producing let it SINK! Producers will be fine! we are Survivors! Hey fellow PRODUCERS…… Just let them do it! Open the Commie/ Socialism flood gates full on!

Stop fighting:

relax!……. BRING IT ON!

let AmeriKa collapse in on itself: We are just about there…..

let's prove once and for all and see if Commie/ Socialism works….

After the collapse, the Government can go back to providing BASIC governmental services…..

Get out from under all of the touchy feeely 'Momma make it better' government programs……

AmeriKA is the TITANIC you will NOT stop the sinking …it's done deal…

WAY to many people on the Government DOLE!!!

PRODUCERS are VASTLY out numbered in AmeriKA!!!

Come Join me on the top Deck of the TITANIC, enjoy a Brandy & Cigar:

Watch all of the free entertainment watching people on the Government DOLE, run all over the ship going NUTZ when the MASSIVE cutbacks happen…like California???

SWEEEEEEEEEET!

I myself have cut back no less than 80 % I am 54 and semi retired out of total debt,

just work a day or two now a week, No point in exerting myself…… only to be made a fool of paying more than HALF of what I make in TAXES supporting the TITANIC!

Join me CUT BACK on your labors…

STOP producing let it SINK! Producers will be fine! we are Survivors!

]]> By: mike hickey Fairway, Ks http://moremoney.blogs.money.cnn.com/2009/06/28/obamacare-cheaper-than-you-think/#comment-17841 mike hickey Fairway, Ks Tue, 30 Jun 2009 14:08:37 +0000 http://moneyfeatures.blogs.money.cnn.com/?p=1445#comment-17841 THE REAL WORLD OF HEALTHCARE REFORM: facts: *GOOD THING 70% OF AMERICANS ARE INSURED TODAY. *39% of the uninsured are in 5 states, Florida,Texas,New Mexico,Arizona, and California. All of these state are entry points for immigrants. *21% (9.7mm) of the uninsured are NOT CITIZENS!!!!!!! * 14mm are eligible for an EXISTING program but HAVE NOT enrolled!!!! Do thery not want to do the paper work or wait in line??? * 9.1mm have a houshold income of at LEAST $75K per year and do NOT buy insurnace!!! The real task should be to insure the 20mm people who fall through the crack because they make too much money to qualify for Medicade but not ENOUGH money to pay for health insurance!!! HOW DO WE FIX IT: 1) Tort reform capping what the lawyers can receive in any award at 5%.... that might STOP much of the TV advertizing and ambulance chasing. Doctors are human and will make mistakes but TODAY everyone of them practice defensive medicine which adds to the cost of health care... BIG TIME!!! LETS STOP THIS and REDUCE cost..... 2) Set up more "Free" clinics in every city and staff them retired physicians who would be willing to practice 1 or 2 days a week if the GOVERMENT would pay for their malpractice insurance!!!!!!!! 3) Any city with a population of 500,000 or greater make the "NOT FOR PROFIT" hospital pay INCOME TAX just like the "FOR PROFIT" hospitals do... put that money into the state Medicade program!!!!!!!!!! Do NOT PUT IT IN THE GENERAL FUNDS ACCOUNT!!!!!!!!!! 4) Create a NATIONAL CERTIFICATE OF NEED for hospital system to open a NEW hospital/surgery center!! As populations move to the suburbs every hospital system FEELS they MUST build NEW hospitals to make sure they capture those patients before some other system opens a hospital!!! Do you think that might COST the health care system not only MONEY but add to the nursing shortage?????? Can we NOT drive 10-15 to get to a hospital in the large metro areas????? 5) How many MRI's or open heart programs does a city (metro area) of less than 2mm NEED???????? In my area with 4 hospital systems and 3 400 bed plus hospitals feel they all need to have one!!!!!!! The NOT FOR PROFIT hosptial systems DO NOT SHARE WELL..... if they did we would be able to REDUCE the cost of health care!!!!! 6) Allow the 20mm who fall through the crack move into the Medicade syatem!!!! 7) TODAY we DO NOT have enogh physicians and nurses to add 46-50mm new people into the health acre system if if we have a single payor system or offer a goverment option.... THE GOVERMENT SEEM TO NOT UNDERSTAND WITHOUT THE DOCTORS THEY HAVE NO SYSTEM!!!! Many Physicians today are NOT accepting new Medicade patients becausde the Medicade system in most states pays so LOW.... We are now seeing Physicians also doing this with Medicare patients...And the president is "TALKING" about REDUCING the reinbursment for both systems to pay for his version of health care!!!!!! 8) STOP the use of the ER by the uninsured for visits that could be done in "free" clinics or community health clinics. If these people are on any type of state or federal program then charge them back and REDUCE what they are receing until the bill is satisfied!!!!!! This would slow down the MOST expensive way for people to receive routine health care... THERE IS A LOT MORE COMMON SENCE WAYS TO REDUCE HEALTH CARE COST AND PROVIDE COVERAGE TO THE UNINSURED WHO REALY NEED IT IF "our" congressional leaders operated in the real world....... THE REAL WORLD OF HEALTHCARE REFORM:
facts: *GOOD THING 70% OF AMERICANS ARE INSURED TODAY.
*39% of the uninsured are in 5 states, Florida,Texas,New Mexico,Arizona, and California. All of these state are entry points for immigrants.
*21% (9.7mm) of the uninsured are NOT CITIZENS!!!!!!!
* 14mm are eligible for an EXISTING program but HAVE NOT enrolled!!!! Do thery not want to do the paper work or wait in line???
* 9.1mm have a houshold income of at LEAST $75K per year and do NOT buy insurnace!!!

The real task should be to insure the 20mm people who fall through the crack because they make too much money to qualify for Medicade but not ENOUGH money to pay for health insurance!!!

HOW DO WE FIX IT:
1) Tort reform capping what the lawyers can receive in any award at 5%…. that might STOP much of the TV advertizing and ambulance chasing. Doctors are human and will make mistakes but TODAY everyone of them practice defensive medicine which adds to the cost of health care… BIG TIME!!! LETS STOP THIS and REDUCE cost…..
2) Set up more "Free" clinics in every city and staff them retired physicians who would be willing to practice 1 or 2 days a week if the GOVERMENT would pay for their malpractice insurance!!!!!!!!
3) Any city with a population of 500,000 or greater make the "NOT FOR PROFIT" hospital pay INCOME TAX just like the "FOR PROFIT" hospitals do… put that money into the state Medicade program!!!!!!!!!! Do NOT PUT IT IN THE GENERAL FUNDS ACCOUNT!!!!!!!!!!
4) Create a NATIONAL CERTIFICATE OF NEED for hospital system to open a NEW hospital/surgery center!! As populations move to the suburbs every hospital system FEELS they MUST build NEW hospitals to make sure they capture those patients before some other system opens a hospital!!! Do you think that might COST the health care system not only MONEY but add to the nursing shortage?????? Can we NOT drive 10-15 to get to a hospital in the large metro areas?????
5) How many MRI's or open heart programs does a city (metro area) of less than 2mm NEED???????? In my area with 4 hospital systems and 3 400 bed plus hospitals feel they all need to have one!!!!!!! The NOT FOR PROFIT hosptial systems DO NOT SHARE WELL….. if they did we would be able to REDUCE the cost of health care!!!!!
6) Allow the 20mm who fall through the crack move into the Medicade syatem!!!!
7) TODAY we DO NOT have enogh physicians and nurses to add 46-50mm new people into the health acre system if if we have a single payor system or offer a goverment option…. THE GOVERMENT SEEM TO NOT UNDERSTAND WITHOUT THE DOCTORS THEY HAVE NO SYSTEM!!!! Many Physicians today are NOT accepting new Medicade patients becausde the Medicade system in most states pays so LOW…. We are now seeing Physicians also doing this with Medicare patients…And the president is "TALKING" about REDUCING the reinbursment for both systems to pay for his version of health care!!!!!!
8) STOP the use of the ER by the uninsured for visits that could be done in "free" clinics or community health clinics. If these people are on any type of state or federal program then charge them back and REDUCE what they are receing until the bill is satisfied!!!!!! This would slow down the MOST expensive way for people to receive routine health care…

THERE IS A LOT MORE COMMON SENCE WAYS TO REDUCE HEALTH CARE COST AND PROVIDE COVERAGE TO THE UNINSURED WHO REALY NEED IT IF "our" congressional leaders operated in the real world…….

]]> By: Sheree Chicgo, IL http://moremoney.blogs.money.cnn.com/2009/06/28/obamacare-cheaper-than-you-think/#comment-17835 Sheree Chicgo, IL Tue, 30 Jun 2009 13:28:56 +0000 http://moneyfeatures.blogs.money.cnn.com/?p=1445#comment-17835 Anyone who has lived in Europe can tell you.... IT'S WORTH IT! France is the best example. Everyone's just freaking out about BIG Government. Get over it. Anyone who has lived in Europe can tell you…. IT'S WORTH IT! France is the best example. Everyone's just freaking out about BIG Government. Get over it.

]]> By: Ted Turner, Tuskeegee, Alabama http://moremoney.blogs.money.cnn.com/2009/06/28/obamacare-cheaper-than-you-think/#comment-17833 Ted Turner, Tuskeegee, Alabama Tue, 30 Jun 2009 12:49:21 +0000 http://moneyfeatures.blogs.money.cnn.com/?p=1445#comment-17833 Sure is nice of CNN to pitch for Obama's healthcare plan. "Cheaper Than You Think." Gimme a break - seems that could be said of certain news organizations too. No question that CNN and ABC have proven to be cheap dates for this Administration. Sure is nice of CNN to pitch for Obama's healthcare plan. "Cheaper Than You Think." Gimme a break – seems that could be said of certain news organizations too. No question that CNN and ABC have proven to be cheap dates for this Administration.

]]> By: Mike, Bronx http://moremoney.blogs.money.cnn.com/2009/06/28/obamacare-cheaper-than-you-think/#comment-17823 Mike, Bronx Tue, 30 Jun 2009 05:53:05 +0000 http://moneyfeatures.blogs.money.cnn.com/?p=1445#comment-17823 A government run health care system is the way to go. They did such a fabulous job with public housing, public transportation, public schools, and, of course, public toilets. The government always gets everything right. Seriously, I can't believe that anyone could actually believe that government is gonna get this right. A government run health care system is the way to go. They did such a fabulous job with public housing, public transportation, public schools, and, of course, public toilets. The government always gets everything right. Seriously, I can't believe that anyone could actually believe that government is gonna get this right.

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