Medicare for all? NO, NO, NO
June 7th, 2008 | by caprice |In Froma Harrop’s syndicated column appearing in The Seattle Times on June 6, 2008 (Obama’s health care lite), she briefly states her opinion of McCain’s and Obama’s health care platforms. She grudgingly gives credit to McCain’s tax credits and subsidies for low income people to buy health insurance (hello, these are good ideas!). She points out that Obama does not have a specific plan to create universal access to health care insurance coverage. She claims the best idea is to enroll all Americans in Medicare as it would be cheaper in the long run. No, No, No!!! This kind of thinking is what has gotten us into the problem we’re in right now. When people do not have to pay for something, they don’t care how much it costs; it doesn’t matter what we’re talking about, this is a truism. Why in the world would we want to offer a blank check to every American when what we really need to do is educate people about how much things costs.
Let me give you a story that is sad but true. My elderly neighbor was having some discomfort and called 911. I got there before the paramedics. I’m not a medical practitioner but I had a pretty good idea we could bring him to the hospital without him dying along the way (approx. 10 minutes). When the paramedics arrived, they assessed him pretty much as I had (potential a slight problem with his potassium level). They told him he needed to go to the hospital and asked him if he wanted an ambulance. He said yes although I offered to drive him and his wife to the Emergency Department. Why did he do this? Because he did not care about the cost since he told me he was not paying for it anyway - TRICARE would cover it. This is a true story about an otherwise very frugal man. The point is… when people are not accountable for an expense, they don’t care how much something cost. We need for everyone to have skin in the game. I hate it when people say they don’t care or don’t know how much a health care service cost because “my insurance pays for it”. Not ture - we all pay for it. I don’t want to pay for other people’s lack of concern about the cost they bring into the system with careless decisions. Medicare for all would be totally detrimental to helping Americans become more mature about our decision making processes.
One Response to “Medicare for all? NO, NO, NO”
By Dianne Cubell on Jun 17, 2008 | Reply
Hi Caprice, I’d like to comment on the idea that if people don’t have to pay for it, like for Medicare, they really don’t care what the price is for any of their services. Maybe, there is someting about the name of this program that is at fault. But more than just a change of name is needed. A different model of accountability is really necessary.
I agree with you that the lack of education about what Medicare pays for and how much the use of this system actually costs is a very important feature for clients or patients to be aware of. The fact that for many, usually another insurance system kicks in as a supplement for the portion that Medicare does not pay. For elders, it may be United Healthcare, touted by AARP or Hartford Insurance, for others Secure Horizons, etc. For many individuals there is another government subsidy, Medicaid.
The rising price of our American health care system may or may not be totally due to apathy and ignorance on the part of these users and abusers of the system. There are complex bad habits being applied on the part of other insurance bearers as well.
As a health care practitioner, I surrendered the concept of taking any medical insurance, as I found that there was a lack of integrated care of people whom I treated. If they paid out of pocket, they were motivated to get more out of their appt time,to feel comfortable sharing their story, to listen and be compliant with the alternative approach they received. I am aware that more and more practitioners are feeling the same way. How else can one tell this is not important to the individual? They never ask if they can file the claim themselves, they never ask if you really got paid and they really go on smoking or continuing to be a couch potato. In other words, nothing changes. I will, however, give a superbill receipt complete with codes used for treatment, that for many when it is mailed to their provider serves for partial reimbursement.
The cash up front kind of gal or guy, negotiates the price and follows the advice. These are my residual clients. Funny thing, but the new prospects who seek the care, after acknowledging that the insurance is not going to be accepted, are willing to pay. Most of the people I meet and talk with daily, pay up front, anyway. And they use the info and advice to get well again. I always include an educational component with my treatment. Oh, and I never have to limit my client interview to 15 minutes a visit. Mutual empowerment holds an important key for wellness.
I think the decision makers are getting this! The integrative model being evaluated by the NIH rewards the individual who eats well, plays well and lives well,with lower premiums and penalizes those who are reckless or neglectful about their standard of self care, by making their insurance premiums more expensive.
Let’s hope the new administration is open and attentive to an empowering Universal plan that encourages everyone to take responsibility for their health and wellness, without the word ‘care’ being used. For too many this implies or justifies a dependency on others to take up the slack.
Dianne Cubell, RN, MAc
National Diplomate of Acupuncture
206-726-1799 office
206-551-1678 cell