Health care reform. Republicans or Republicants

Dozens of federally-supported Hospital Engagement Networks provided resources, expertise, and focus to more than 70% of the nation's acute care hospitals (~3,700 hospitals in total) in probably the largest coordinated patient safety initiative in the history of the U.S. (e.g., see: "Hospital Engagement Networks participants make big strides in reducing patient harm and readmissions"). You claim without argument or evidence that this would've happened anyway (it wouldn't have) but how you leap from there to "this system under Obamacare isn't working" I have no idea. "Lives are being saved and would've been saved anyway" isn't much of an indictment if that really is the "mark of a medical system."

Moreover, you're addressing only the obvious gains in patient safety our hospitals have enjoyed. That's only one of the clear gains in health care quality I mentioned. New payment and delivery models have improved care in the health care system far beyond just that. And no, hospitals weren't generally already doing this. The American Hospital Association paper linked above on the rise of population health management infrastructure over the last few years lays out very clearly how the ACA has changed the underlying incentives and how hospitals are responding.

That's a big deal and it's been a huge shift. The role of the hospital--even the design of new ones--is evolving quickly now.

You're referring to bronze tier plans--about 80% of marketplace shoppers last year chose a more comprehensive plan from a higher metal tier than that. And individuals in a family plan aren't subject to the entire family deductible, they are now limited to the individual deductible (which can never be as high as $10,000).

Do you want to ban bronze level plans so that the minority of shoppers who choose them no longer have that option? Should we just outlaw high deductible plans altogether or make silver (maybe even gold!) level plans the minimum? When the left raises the issue you're highlighting, that's their point. You don't seem to be on the left so I don't know what your point is.

 

It's not a cure-all... for a system that has essentially SUCKED for 50+ years.

There is no one-pill solution. I consider the ACA one treatment in a series of many that are needed.

 

If the British heath care system is any indication, then I would recommend the US "bin" the idea of moving towards a National heath care system.

It is a un expensive white elephant that deludes the people into thinking that individuals that want sex-change operations are as valid as healing those that have cancer or tuberculosis. It is a slipper slid into state socialism.

Better to provide subsidies to the medical industry for worthy operations for people who can not afford the care. National health is the thin edge of a State Socialist system wedge that should be avoided at ANY cost. Take it from a member of a Country that has already made that mistake. Once it is introduced it will be a devil to get rid of it!!!

 

Perhaps. But I think you're on the wrong track overall.

Regards.

 

It's nice to know that the republicans haven't flip-flopped on the issue. If you want any real solutions from republicans, you'll have a very long wait ahead of you.

See, this idea of forcing young people to pay for old people isn't really fair to young people. They're starting to realize that, and grandpa walton is going to eventually find out that john boy would rather have a family of his own, rather than keep grandpa alive.

 

Still, their political and moral viability are affected by that issue.

There is no getting around that.

 

Doesn't seem to have affected their chances gaining congressional seats, so it would appear that you are wrong about the political viability. As for the moral one, they have the upper hand in that, as well. Sorry, but taking money by force from junior to pay for grandpa's medications isn't a moral thing to do.

 

Since no one can come up with a solution, I say put everyone on medicare in one national pool.

 

The worst that can happen is that medicare runs out of money even sooner than currently predicted, so why not?

 

Things can/do change. We'll see.

 

As long as we have a working population that pays into medicare, it will not run out and if the government can stop stealing from this fund.