[Winona Online Democracy] Another good story about health care was on the front page of Sunday's Star Tribune.
Who knows, maybe they're in the background listening too. ;-> The article does a good job beginning to explore how the drug and insurance corporations control the democratic system but they stop too soon and don't go deep enough. It's a good start though. Could someone find and share the story online? Dwayne Voegeli ============ >From: "Paul Double" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >To: "Online Democracy" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >Subject: FW: [Winona] It's the Insurance Companies >Date: Sun, 26 Oct 2003 20:16:01 -0600 >Status: > > > >There is a great article in the Sunday October 26 2003 by Dr. Frank Bures on >page 4C. I don't know if he has been in the background enjoying our >discussion but the article titled "Medical coverage is really quite >arbitrary" is right on target for our discussion. He discusses discounts and >the insurance industry. > >I know earlier I had posted the AMA testimony to Federal Trade Commission >which also illustrates the concerns of many providers and more important the >danger or increasing power of insurance companies. > >I would however take issue with one point in the article. The >Robinson-Patman Act prohibits "for profit" providers from price >discrimination between "Business" competitors. "Third Party Administrators" >in Single Payer Systems such as administered (Health Reimbursement >Arrangements) HRA's are competitors of the insurance industry and as such >must receive similar discounts or the providers will be in trouble with the >Justice Department and the FTC not to mention state laws which may be more >encompassing. While some providers may attempt to circumvent the law by >saying that it applies only to goods not services I would encourage them to >go to the FTC site as services are being included. It should also be noted >that the FTC is addressing networks in relation to the Sherman Anti-Trust >Act and restraint of trade issues between out of network providers and those >in network. > >Some FTC documents indicate that when Non-Profit Providers collaborate with >For-Profit Providers the non-profits may be at risk on loosing their >non-profit exemption from Robinson-Patman. This, in my opinion, would be >great for consumers as the special discounts that non-profits receive on >prescription drugs would be offered to your local drug stores. > >I am amazed by the number of consumers (patients) who think they need >insurance because they remember the artificial invoice they receive first >for services rendered verses the final "real invoice" after all the write >offs and discounts are applied. Amazed also at the number of providers who >only hurt themselves by their billing/pricing policies but many are waking >up that they must speak out, offer cash customers the same prices they offer >insurance companies, support Third Party Administrators as Single Payer >Systems or they will always be under the thumb of their master "the >insurance industry". > >What is sad and scary is: > Insurance controls what employers and employees shall pay > Insurance controls what is covered by their plan and where you must >go to be served > Insurance controls what the provider will receive on the threat that >they might build their own clinic > The President thinks this industry should be a part of the solution >- Hell they are the problem! > >Paul Double > > > > >Content-Type: application/ms-tnef; > name="winmail.dat" >Content-Disposition: attachment; > filename="winmail.dat" > >Attachment converted: Macintosh HD:winmail.dat (????/----) (0000B4F1) ------------ Dwayne Voegeli Winona County Commissioner, District #2 (507) 453-9012 [EMAIL PROTECTED] 359 Pleasant Hill Dr. Winona, MN 55987 ------------ _______________________________________________ This message was posted to Winona Online Democracy All messages must be signed by the senders actual name. No commercial solicitations are allowed on this list. To manage your subscription or view the message archives, please visit http://mapnp.mnforum.org/mailman/listinfo/winona Any problems or suggestions can be directed to mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] If you want help on how to contact elected officials, go to the Contact page at http://www.winonaonlinedemocracy.org
