basehitz

Healthcare 'Debate' Dominated by Shouting and Lobbies

“as much as half of health care costs can be eliminated by individual responsibility for their own health care financing”

It has been my experience that this is true, but only for simpler matters where I have time in advance to shop prices and alternatives. As procedures become more complex and expensive, my expectation is that options would be limited. For example, someone needing heart surgery will go where he can to get the best treatment possible.

You estimate tort and malpractice insurance costs to be 10%, which I suspect does not include the costs for medical providers practicing defensive medicine. (i.e., over-prescribing cause they’re afraid of lawsuits) Perhaps this category would largely make up your estimate of 30% redundant and unnecessary services. If this is true, then tort reform might cover the entire cost of the proposed expanded healthcare program.

We almost got tort reform. From IBD Oct 23, 2003:
“Dems Block GOP Class Action Bill : Senate Democrats stymied a bill to limit class action suits and awards vs. firms by moving many into federal court. The 59-39 vote fell just shy of the 60 needed to end debate. All Republicans except Sen. Richard Shelby, R-Ala., voted yes; all but 8 Democrats opposed.” (Sen Tom Daschle led the Democrat fillibuster.)

The intent of tort reform was to reign in frivolous lawsuits and massive damage awards, not block individuals harmed from appropriate compensation. Unfortunately, lawyers are heavy political contributors, and the overwhelmingly favor Democrats. Pretty obvious what happened.