I guess I’m a little confused with all of this concern over socialized healthcare. Seems like we’ve already got it . So what’s the big fuss?

Insurance = Socialism

Insurance is based on the concept of socialism.  Assemble a group and they all contribute to the group for the better of the whole to protect the individual. That’s what insurance is. We all pay in. Some really need it and use it and benefit from the group spread of the risk. Others don’t need it as much and they help cover the others who do with an eye toward having their future needs covered. Insurance is based on the most core principles of socialism.

Medicare = Socialism

Medicare is socialized healthcare. The government groups all people over 65 into a single pool. Everyone paid in with taxes and the government covers the majority of costs. So Medicare is already socialized. Ask anyone using it what they think of it. Most will say they are thankful that it is there, but that it does not do it all.

Medicare = Private Healthcare

Private healthcare rates are generally set based on Medicare rates. There are so many services and procedures that it would be terribly time-consuming and inefficient for an insurance company to negotiate each batch of services with a provider on a case by case basis. So they set most of the rates based on a percentage above what Medicare would pay. In essence, they let Medicare lead as the largest insurer in the market (a socialized one at that) and then just follow their lead. The larger an insurer’s group, the closer their reimbursements are to Medicare’s. The small the group, the more they pay.

Insurance = Socialism = Medicare = Private Insurance

So following through the equation, it’s pretty obvious that we already have socialized healthcare. Getting it more socialized will not solve the problems we have - overuse of the system, high costs, quality of care, and inaccessibility to care.

With fully socialized medicine, anyone can go any time is the idea people have. That will not breed discretion, it will only create more overuse as an “all you can buffet.”

The governement is inefficient and overpays at every turn for things. Costs will not be held in check.

Quality - controlled by the government? Oh my. Anyone ever heard the phrase “Close enough for government work? Look at the VA and its recent struggles.

And where are the additional doctors to address this new open buffet? I see nothing where the effort is being made to bring in more physicians to help address what will be an increased demand.

Does everyone deserve healthcare? Absolutely.

Do we want the governement running it? Absolutely not.

There is much the governement could do to improve healthcare, but taking it over is not part of it. Look for some ideas on where they might be able to help in  the next post.