Time for universal care
The Kansas City Star ran a series of articles, editorials, and op-eds on single payer and other health care reform proposals this summer — here are two pro-single payer letters from their readership.
http://blogs.kansascity.com/unfettered_letters/2007/09/time-for-univer.html
We all agree that health care in the U.S. is in need of improvement. Some would advocate a major reworking, and some would say we need to just let the free market work its magic.
E. Thomas McClanahan stated in his op-ed piece last Sunday (9/23) that “the root problem with Hillary’s plan is that it doesn’t do enough to create a real market in health care.” I would submit that the free market has had its chance. Now it’s time for government intervention.
I’m not endorsing Sen. Clinton’s plan. What I am saying is that we need to take the cue from other Western nations and establish universal health care, whether it be “socialized medicine” or a single-payer system.
The common mantra should be: “You think health care is expensive now! Just wait till tomorrow — it will be even higher!”
We pay much more for health care than other industrialized nations, and still we have nearly 50 million without insurance and many with poor coverage.
Let’s look at the universal health care plans already out there and take the best of each. We can make ours the best of the bunch and still spend less than we do now.
Frank T. Strada
Overland Park
E. Thomas McClanahan’s opinion of Sept. 23 suggests that competition among health-care providers will resolve the cost issue in health care.
Though physicians may charge different amounts for the same service, the insurance companies reimburse to providers as per their contract, which can be quite different to each provider.
Recently I found out that an EKG done at the out-patient department of a local hospital (non-emergency) was charged by the hospital at $414. This did not include interpretation charges.
The insurance company asked the patient to pay $166, as it was applied to the deductible.
Similar service at doctor’s office with interpretation is charged at $66, and the physician is paid $31 by the same insurer.
Why should a hospital be paid more than five times what the doctor’s office is paid? Is it fair to blame physicians for rising health-care costs while hospitals and insurance companies are real reason?
The only way to resolve rising health-care costs is single-payer,
universal health care financed by tax dollars.
Laxmidas A. Sawkar, MD
Overland Park