Health Reform a Moving Target
It has been weeks since I have published any new articles on health care reform. I wanted to get out a general update out to those that read my interpretations. It’s hard to latch on to a general theory or pattern since the House version was dead when it passed, and the Senate version changes more frequently than the weather.
The popularity of health care reform has dropped to its lowest levels since it was first outlined early in the summer. There is an outside chance that it will not pass, but it is my opinion that some form of reform will pass. Some of the changes are well intended but poorly executed. The overriding reason that I believe that some form of reform will pass is because it is loaded with taxes in the first few years, which is good for the deficit, and the benefits are not set to kick in until the next Presidential term, leaving the next White House and/or Congress to take away benefits from the “poor and uninsured”. I quotation the term because reform will not necessarily benefit the poor and uninsured, but you can count on anyone being cut from benefits as being defined as “poor or uninsured”.
Health care reform should contain:
- Cost containment provisions.
What I believe will be in the bill.
- No Cost Containment
I interpret the market reaction to be.
- Better access to coverage for those with pre-ex conditions, but at a higher cost to all.
- Less incentive for employer paid insurance.
- Higher costs from private insurers because of standardized benefit increases and guaranteed access.
- Much higher costs for young males. (As much as 100% higher for those under 35.)
- Lower cost for people age 55 and over. ( Due to price band implementation changes)
- Greater burden for State Medicaid programs, which could result in some States dropping Medicaid for the poor forcing a Federal programs to provide coverage.
In my opinion, the best option is to let the taxpaying and voting members of this society argue in public forum in 2010 what we collectively want. Then each district can elect someone who represents one path or another, and we collectively come together to solve a serious problem.
Have a Merry Christmas and Happy Holiday!
Categories: Pelosi, Healthcare reform, Harry Reid
Tags: Healthcare Reform Obama
Seems like the crux of the problem is that we're not really talking reform; that would be revolutionary--and seemingly impossible in this political reality and business reality we live in. What you suggest makes a lot of sense, although I see you didn't add tort reform to the list...slip your mind or not important in your estimation? I have a dermotologist (business) neighbor who suggests medicare is a very efficient system that would be solvent if not for the fact it only includes older folks (i.e., less healthy). He also claims that Medicare has been the catalyst for better medical technology and innovation (maybe just on the pharma side of things?) rather than simply reaping the benefits of medical advancements achieved in the private sector. I have my responses to him but would be interested in your rebuttal to those claims.
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