I didn't say the government is a monopoly; I said that a single-payer is
a monopoly. Actually there is a new term for a buyer monopoly and that
is a monopsony.
The federal government can and has exerted monopoly powers.
Armies and delivery of First Class Mail are two examples. Single-payer
would be another, and, from your response, one of which you approve.
And lest you continue quibbling about the word monopoly, the effect
would be the same.
A seller monopolist says "You can't buy my product from anyone else, so
here is my price, take it or leave it."
A buyer monopolist says "You can't sell your product to anyone else, so
here is my offer, take it or leave it."
In fact, this latter feature of single-payer is a major method of
controlling health costs. The question is if the government can hit the
sweet spot on the prices they set; low enough to save money, but not so
low as to drive providers out of business. I'm in the camp that multiple
sellers and buyers in a market is the best way to determine prices.
TPiwowar wrote:
On Jul 28, 2009, at 11:38 AM, Steve at Verizon wrote:
For one who constantly rails against the MS monopoly, I am surprised
that you advocate a monopoly on the buying side of health care (and a
government monopoly at that).
The government is not a monopoly. The government is the American
people acting in concert for the common good. What have you got
against Americans? What have you got against good?
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