Comments on: Schumer Explains How He Would Level Playing Field Between Private And Public Health Plans http://wonkroom.thinkprogress.org/2009/05/05/schumer-explains-how-he-would-level-playing-field-between-private-and-public-health-plans/ Thu, 26 Nov 2009 16:42:01 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 hourly 1 By: jim http://wonkroom.thinkprogress.org/2009/05/05/schumer-explains-how-he-would-level-playing-field-between-private-and-public-health-plans/comment-page-1/#comment-153106 jim Wed, 06 May 2009 08:35:50 +0000 http://wonkroom.thinkprogress.org/?p=9319#comment-153106 check out socialized medicine maybe you would like that; wailting forever for proceedures if approved at all, etc. Every time the government tries to manage and regulate something it always ends up a bigger mess than before. check out socialized medicine maybe you would like that; wailting forever for proceedures if approved at all, etc. Every time the government tries to manage and regulate something it always ends up a bigger mess than before.

]]> By: stateofthedivision http://wonkroom.thinkprogress.org/2009/05/05/schumer-explains-how-he-would-level-playing-field-between-private-and-public-health-plans/comment-page-1/#comment-153090 stateofthedivision Tue, 05 May 2009 17:03:04 +0000 http://wonkroom.thinkprogress.org/?p=9319#comment-153090 Any insurance plan needs start up capital. Having a public plan get no appropriations is a huge hand cuff right off the bat. Any insurance plan needs start up capital. Having a public plan get no appropriations is a huge hand cuff right off the bat.

]]> By: afisher http://wonkroom.thinkprogress.org/2009/05/05/schumer-explains-how-he-would-level-playing-field-between-private-and-public-health-plans/comment-page-1/#comment-153088 afisher Tue, 05 May 2009 16:39:11 +0000 http://wonkroom.thinkprogress.org/?p=9319#comment-153088 A public plan should be available and it should be able to negotiate for lower drug costs (as should Medicare / Medicaid), like the VA. My hospital has a healthcare plan for the uninsured, where their premiums are based on income, so those making less pay less. This plan also has a price for Dr.'s visits (like $25.00 payable when you arrive). A public plan should incentivize wellness (for both the patient, the physician and the treatment facility) and be based on outcome instead of the cost of treatment. None of these ideas are new, but to mimic the current Private Plans would make it doomed to fail. I can only hope that input from Public Health and Non-profit professionals will be included in the debate, not just the for profit enterprises, as they will tout their successes but not mention all of those for whom this system has failed/ denied benefits (too costly), etc. The plan must include the patient's bill of rights, advanced directive (mandatory) and ability to obtain care if out of local assigned healthcare entity. We must all recognize and be willing to accept the concept that the plan will not be perfect, but anything is better than the systems that are currently available. The one issue that has not been addressed by anyone is how to handle those who CAN afford but opt-out of any healthcare insurance. Lot's of unknowns, but doing nothing is like saying that waterboarding isn't torture. The "head under the covers" approach from the public will be disasterous. The public must step up and use a standardized web-based forum to voice their opinion (as if you are a GOP in blue state or Dem in red state, you voice will not be heard). A public plan should be available and it should be able to negotiate for lower drug costs (as should Medicare / Medicaid), like the VA. My hospital has a healthcare plan for the uninsured, where their premiums are based on income, so those making less pay less. This plan also has a price for Dr.’s visits (like $25.00 payable when you arrive).

A public plan should incentivize wellness (for both the patient, the physician and the treatment facility) and be based on outcome instead of the cost of treatment.

None of these ideas are new, but to mimic the current Private Plans would make it doomed to fail.

I can only hope that input from Public Health and Non-profit professionals will be included in the debate, not just the for profit enterprises, as they will tout their successes but not mention all of those for whom this system has failed/ denied benefits (too costly), etc.

The plan must include the patient’s bill of rights, advanced directive (mandatory) and ability to obtain care if out of local assigned healthcare entity.

We must all recognize and be willing to accept the concept that the plan will not be perfect, but anything is better than the systems that are currently available. The one issue that has not been addressed by anyone is how to handle those who CAN afford but opt-out of any healthcare insurance.

Lot’s of unknowns, but doing nothing is like saying that waterboarding isn’t torture. The “head under the covers” approach from the public will be disasterous. The public must step up and use a standardized web-based forum to voice their opinion (as if you are a GOP in blue state or Dem in red state, you voice will not be heard).

]]> By: K in VA http://wonkroom.thinkprogress.org/2009/05/05/schumer-explains-how-he-would-level-playing-field-between-private-and-public-health-plans/comment-page-1/#comment-153085 K in VA Tue, 05 May 2009 15:31:57 +0000 http://wonkroom.thinkprogress.org/?p=9319#comment-153085 The whole idea of the "public plan" was that it would be available to people who couldn't get, or couldn't afford, private insurance. So, if the "public plan" is to be funded by premiums and co-payments, how on earth could it ever be affordable to people without money? The whole idea of the “public plan” was that it would be available to people who couldn’t get, or couldn’t afford, private insurance.

So, if the “public plan” is to be funded by premiums and co-payments, how on earth could it ever be affordable to people without money?

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