Trump vs Big Healthcare

[demi-conservative]

The Republicans don't appear to have plans... remind me what the Republican proposal to fix healthcare is again?

I hear that Trump wants to pursue an effective strategy, which is not 'spread the massively overpriced costs around'.

The fight is on.

https://www.wsj.com/articles/hospita...le-11575460685

[simplicio]

The fight is on.

I welcome the move towards some level of transparency. But it is worth noting that few in congress have welcomed full transparency of prices.

But it is not as simple as it sounds, various diagnoses have diverse costs and reimbursements, as well as negotiated rates.

[demi-conservative]

I welcome the move towards some level of transparency. But it is worth noting that few in congress have welcomed full transparency of prices.

Let me guess...because the health industry has "lobbied" them?

But it is not as simple as it sounds, various diagnoses have diverse costs and reimbursements, as well as negotiated rates.

They can easily reveal the figures, and the public can examine them to make an informed decision.

[simplicio]

Let me guess...because the health industry has "lobbied" them?



They can easily reveal the figures, and the public can examine them to make an informed decision.

Health care, insurance, pharma, doctors' groups all have a stake and lobby.

Not sure that it is all that easy. Some hospitals will (mostly) take patients with certain diagnoses from through some insurance companies or other hospitals. And the shift is to not just "rent" the bed for a set amount, but to bill based on what the diagnosis. Couple that with the practice of negotiating rates with some insurance provider to ensure some optimal capacity, and rates are not easy to break out.

We do not have a Healthcare system which is monolithic, even a single major hospital will often have separate wings devoted to a specialty, such as joint replacements. And the industry (it is an industry which behaves like any other industry which can be modelled) integrates by combining with other hospitals. So the individual patient may enter a health care provider and be shuffled to another piece of real estate (hospital).

Yes, I do think the rates should be transparent, similar to the transportation industry where rates are, or were, published and a matter of record. I am skeptical about an informed decision being made.