Transparency: ‘Price sanity’ is coming to healthcare

By guest contributor G. Keith Smith, M.D.

How would a competitive medical environment benefit patients?

Graphic: The US Repor

Years ago, I hired a carpenter to build a deck in my backyard. He showed up with a pencil behind his ear, a spiral notebook, and a tape measure. I told him what I was looking for, and he made a few suggestions. After 15 minutes of measuring and taking notes, he handed me a piece of paper with how much it would cost.

In two days, he called me and asked for a payment for the lumber. I sent it to him. Five days later, he showed up with the lumber—cut, ready to assemble.

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Women voters can count on Obama and the Democrats in hard times

President Barack Obama won over women voters in 2008—approximately 56 percent of them voted for him. In early November, ABC News ran an optimistic column about Obama’s hopes to capture the same voting bloc in 2012.

Here are some things women who vote for Obama can count on if he is re-elected:

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Government is already in the patient examining room and yes, seniors will pay more

Democrats who voted for the Patient Care and Affordable Protection Act popularly called ObamaCare repeatedly reassure the public the government will not intrude on the patient-healthcare provider relationship. Democrats also pitched ObamaCare as a means of controlling rising costs, especially for seniors. Lies.

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Healthcare Reform 101 for Democrats, Health Insurers and Main Street

Health insurance companies, noting the evolution of Sen. Max Baucus’(D-Mo.) Senate Finance Committee Healthcare bill (America’s Healthy Future Act), have mounted a campaign to stymie additional government intrusion into the marketplace. America’s Health Insurance Plans commissioned an analysis prepared by Price Waterhouse. PW found exactly what I’ve repeatedly stated in this column: “It simply taxes those who have health coverage and uses the money to give care to others.” The administration responded, but the response comes up short because the actual bill isn't finished.

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Political class declares war on ‘fat people’ in latest bid for new tax

MRSA image from Centers for Disease Control. According to the Infectious Diseases Society of America, healthcare associated infections claim 99,000 lives annually and incur more than $20 billion in excess healthcare costs in the US.It’s comical, the pop science analyses based on studies that touch a nerve with the political class. The latest alarmist report claims healthcare for fat people costs more. Neoliberal trumpeters like The L.A. Times appear not to read beyond the standard news releases flooding publishers’ email. I am not advocating Americans go out and become obese. But the newspaper’s suggestion to give those fatties some “tough love” by taxing their food to pay for healthcare that will benefit millions in the US illegally pretty much takes the cake, excuse the temptation embedded in my analogy.

For one thing, participants self-reported their BMI. The BMI is based on a Belgian mathematician who’s been dead for a very long time. I’ve often pointed out there were likely very few African-Americans in that study. For another, a sizable amount of the billions cited comes from the private sector. If you pay for your own healthcare, I don’t care what you drink, smoke or eat.

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