Comments on: “Health care, at any level, cannot be equated in dollars and cents.”

By: 2009/10/29 | John Goodman's Health Policy Blog | NCPA.org

2009/10/29 | John Goodman's Health Policy Blog | NCPA.org — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 19:45:56 +0000

[...] Shafrin (Healthcare Economist) encourages Dr. Douglas to return to [...]

By: ChristineWithRegence

ChristineWithRegence — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 19:45:35 +0000

To me it seems odd that we never know the costs of health care procedures and treatments. How come I don’t know the cost of a test or an office visit? Why do I hesitate to ask “Why?,” “How much?” and “Is it necessary?” I got a kick out of this fun, short video. Check it out.
http://www.whatstherealcost.org/45secondstoshare

By: Health Insurance Providers

Health Insurance Providers — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 03:44:21 +0000

Of course the payment for health care should come directly from patient to health care provider. One of the primary drivers of skyrocketing health care costs is the fact that a 3rd party (the insurance company) pays for the patients health care. This is the exact opposite of trying to reduce costs.

By: “Health care, at any level, cannot be equated in dollars and cents.” « iPhone Medical & Health Apps: news, new apps etc.

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 23:23:42 +0000

[...] Source: http://healthcare-economist.com/2009/10/27/health-care-at-any-level-cannot-be-equated-in-dollars-and... [...]

By: c3

c3 — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 18:06:46 +0000

Agree with m. By “protecting” the physician from the word “money” we don’t eliminate the economics of it. I’ve been a salaried physician all of my professional life. I still must ask myself, what is the value of my work? Does this doc who makes twice as much as I, do two times more “valuable” work? What is my “value” to my employer? to my patients? As perverse as the Medical market is I have to admit it probably does a better job of answering those questions than I.

Likewise, I have to recognize that my patients live in the “real world” of dollars. That’s true with the uninsured (“Doc, I have to pay for this, is that test REALLY necessary?”), and for the insured (“That will be another $50 co-pay, is it necessary?”)

And yes I’ve worked in a system with no payment whatsoever by the patients and with salaried docs. Money questions still get asked (particularly just before and just after the new budget year begins.)

By: m

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 16:30:45 +0000

That attitude is probably the single biggest factor in the high cost of health care in America. The other is the separation between payer and consumer.

Ironically, Dr. Douglas’ philosophy makes our system more expensive on both accounts.

Nice.