The Problem of Health Care

If you are found to need an appendectomy or heart bypass, there isn't some death pannel that is goin got check your assets, credit and checking accounts to see if you can pay.

You are going to get that heart bypass.

And, when you wake up with the $150K bill, if you can't pay then others WILL end up paying for you.

That's just the way it is. We're not going to have death panels.

 

We actually see how, without free care, inefficiencies are necessarily coerced. The person needing a heart bypass is only confronted by health care when, due to an emergency, he is not presented with a choice. He does have a choice beforehand but, due to immediate costs, does not take advantage of preventative care. The stupidity of using the market in healthcare guarantees the expensive bypass.

 

There certainly are behaviors that are more likely to lead toward heart bypass surgery. But, all humans are susceptible. It's one of the most common surgeries that is performed.

And, aw are not going to have a death pannel decide whether a person's finances and life style history justify saving the person's life. (Besides, immediate surgery is required, thus there is no time for a death pannel to act.)

And, I mentioned appendicites - which isn't a lifestyle issue.

But, I don't get your point anyway. Elective surgery is not the issue here.

Besides that, let me point out what "elective surgery" covers.

Elective surgry includes appendectomy, breast surgery, rectal resection, and all sorts of other surgeries that are orieted to address life threatening disease. For example, you don't HAVE to have a cancerous tumor removed. If you don't, you'll probably die, but that doesn't mean it isn't considered elective.

It also includes cataract surgery, hernia surgery and others that seriously affect life, including ability to work.

We ALL face these risks. Sugesting we all pull together to cover what are standard risks of all humans is not some sort of ridiculous direction. And, EVERY other first world country recognizes that, committing themselves to the healthcare of their citizens.

Our citizens are no less worthy of life than are theirs.

 

The bypass is but one example. Take something like free eye checks. That led to early diagnosis of many problems, again leading to reduced mortality/morbidity and lower expenditure.

The point is simple: A national health system is the only format capable of maximising well-being and minimising costs. There is indeed a 'free lunch', given notable public good characteristic.

 

Amen. I totally agree.