Tough questions

[DrNick2006]

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I was interviewed and asked these questions, I was wondering what others thought.

1. Do you believe that the federal government’s Medicare program has any
flaws? If so explain them. Do you have any ideas that you would like
to see the government do in the future?

2. Do you think that Medicare is helpful of hurtful to the economy?

3. As a doctor is their any flaw you see on how the government spends its
money on healthcare?

4. Do you think that socialized Medicare like Canada would be more
effective than the current Medicare system? If not explain the
repercussions of that system.

 

[f_w]

> 1. Do you believe that the federal government’s Medicare program
> has any flaws?

Here are the three main flaws:
- doesn't pay enough
- doesn't pay enough
- doesn't pay enough

> Do you have any ideas that you would like to see the
> government do in the future?

Pay more.

> 2. Do you think that Medicare is helpful of hurtful to the economy?

Helpful. Lowest administrative overhead in the industry, fairly straightforward remittance system. Gestapo like compliance enforcement.

> 3. As a doctor is their any flaw you see on how the government
> spends its money on healthcare?

No emphasis on prevention (actually specifically excludes prevention services except for mammo, pap smears and PSA).
Poor prescription drug coverage, specifically for preventive drugs.
Irrational reimbursement formula that penalizes rural areas and benefits big cities.

> 4. Do you think that socialized Medicare like Canada would be
> more effective than the current Medicare system? If not explain
> the repercussions of that system.

In short, NO.

In canada, the state is way to involved in the delivery of healthcare. As a result, the system is inefficient and not market driven. The provider end of healthcare has to be privately run (the payor end, not necessarily).

 

[secretwave101]

4. Do you think that socialized Medicare like Canada would be more effective than the current Medicare system? If not explain the
repercussions of that system.

Cap lawsuits, create a baseline set of services that everyone in the country is entitled to, and leave the rest to the private sector. If these, then yes, a socialized system could work inexpensively and humanely.