tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15329279.post1459504872027403376..comments2023-08-25T05:18:29.312-06:00Comments on Madville Times: German Health Care Beats U.S.: Less Rationing, Better Coverage... and with Older Population!caheidelbergerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03261598066395322681noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15329279.post-26542872771679440922009-08-19T02:37:43.451-06:002009-08-19T02:37:43.451-06:00If a single-payer or even a socialized health-care...If a single-payer or even a socialized health-care system can be made more efficient than the current "Rube Goldberg" kludge mess, eliminating frivolous profits and controlling costs, wouldn't it cost less than what we have now?<br /><br />If the above is true, then replacing the premiums we now pay with some sort of tax should result in us taxpayers having more pocket money "at the end of the week" than we have now, on the average.<br /><br />At the federal level, I'd favor getting rid of the payroll tax, making sure that we never enact a value-added tax, and then adjusting the income tax so it takes in all of the money that the federal government needs, including health care.<br /><br />Such a tax should be progressive, with a significant exemption for low-income people. The highest brackets could be tailored so as to keep people from accumulating obscene amounts of wealth, while not discouraging people who are willing to work hard and innovate with the intention of "improving their lot."<br /><br />I see potential pitfalls in failing to rein in out-of-control costs and fraud; imposing so many taxes that the code becomes Byzantine beyond any individual's ability to handle without professional help; the possibility that certain people will take "double-whammos" by paying a tax on income and then paying the same tax again on purchases (that could happen with a value-added tax or national sales tax if not carefully crafted); and tempting corporations to outsource more and more of their labor (and maybe even their entire operations).<br /><br />If our politicians could be straight with us, telling us that if we want to be rid of the worries and dangers inherent in the existing health-care system, and then leveling with us concerning what a workable system would cost and what options exist to collect the revenue, then -- and only then -- we might develop a system that's fair to everybody.<br /><br />Of course, I could be wrong. Maybe life is so inherently unfair that we only have a choice between getting screwed clockwise or getting screwed counterclockwise. But I'm not ready to invest in that theory. Hope bleeds eternal.Stan Gibiliscohttp://www.sciencewriter.netnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15329279.post-6519341941940971752009-08-18T22:06:31.183-06:002009-08-18T22:06:31.183-06:00[By the way, Dan, which Dan O'Neill are you? I...[By the way, Dan, <a href="http://www.google.com/search?q=%22Dan+O%27Neill%22" rel="nofollow">which Dan O'Neill</a> are you? Introduce yourself!]caheidelbergerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03261598066395322681noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15329279.post-20437678467243711832009-08-18T21:47:46.066-06:002009-08-18T21:47:46.066-06:00Bring it, indeed, Dan. I'm paying over 10% of ...Bring it, indeed, Dan. I'm paying over 10% of my income in insurance premiums right now and getting bupkis. I'll happily transfer that money to a federal insurance plan.caheidelbergerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03261598066395322681noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15329279.post-35458066066249195492009-08-18T21:44:12.221-06:002009-08-18T21:44:12.221-06:00Dan O'Neill
The German system IS mandatory unl...Dan O'Neill<br />The German system IS mandatory unless your personnal income is above a government determined level. Those not above the income level are enrolled in the government plan. Those individuals PAY 14% of their monthly salary towards their healthcare costs. Those same individuals also have out of pocket expenses for healthcare. <br />So bring it, and pay 14% of your monthly salary to the government for healthcare.Dan O'Neillnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15329279.post-45610944880017462122009-08-18T16:27:06.239-06:002009-08-18T16:27:06.239-06:00That makes some sense, John. No free riders... and...That makes some sense, John. No free riders... and if the government mandates it, the government should offer it. <br /><br />Tony, when you do find that paper, send it our way! What you say makes perfect sense... but Republicans have made clear that perfect sense is not a voting issue for them.caheidelbergerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03261598066395322681noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15329279.post-42780541710589506242009-08-18T16:23:55.114-06:002009-08-18T16:23:55.114-06:00Germans are also more health conscious. They walk...Germans are also more health conscious. They walk more, bike more, and there are very few overweight Germans by my recollection. They detest fast food. It's no surprise they are more efficient, but consider they have a 45% progressive tax rate (we should have 50 at least). <br /><br />Regarding Linda's concern, we need mandatory enrollment so everyone pays for it. No?JohnSDhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01232529806415462712noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15329279.post-78924538331152323192009-08-18T10:39:11.615-06:002009-08-18T10:39:11.615-06:00I also want to throw out that our current system o...I also want to throw out that our current system of rationing is the worst possible method of rationing. Currently, we are penalized for going to the doctor regularly for preventative care. Insurance companies have the system setup so that any use of medical care = pain. It's very similar to how corporate boards only look at the current quarter of profitability rather than the long haul.<br /><br />Honestly, managing something like type II diabetes is ridiculously expensive for the life of the patient. Regular, preventative care easily identifies early onset insulin resistance and through a small life style change type II diabetes can be completely prevented. Right now though, if you have health insurance, you are penalized for getting yourself checked out regularly to make sure insulin resistance doesn't progress to type II diabetes.<br /><br />I haven't seen a paper that says this yet, but I would be willing to put money down that if care wasn't rationed the additional upfront costs of regular exams would be pennies on the dollar of the chronic, long term care for those that don't get preventative care.Tony Amerthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00926509220711589398noreply@blogger.com