Letter: Health overhead

By Dr. Loren A. Crown
The Commercial Appeal, June 22, 2016

COVINGTON, TENN. — The writer of the June 19 letter “Single-payer answer” correctly pointed out problems with the current system (i.e., profit-driven insurers, the pharmaceutical industry and providers) resulting in our nation seeing a decrease in longevity, a health care ranking behind 36 other nations, and yet a No. 1 cost rating.

I would add that while Medicare has a 1 to 2 percent overhead expense, the current system results in approximately a 20 percent overhead (health care executives, stock dividends, duplication, etc.).

Single-payer access could eliminate this and leave funds for the 15 percent who have no coverage or marginal coverage without increasing the health care budget.

http://www.commercialappeal.com/opinion/letters-to-the-editor/Letter-Health-overhead-383900731.html