Re: [Winona] Healthcare - Fairness Prevails

[Roy Nasstrom]

[Winona Online Democracy]
To Paul, Kathy and others interested in the issue of costs for uninsured 
patients:

I have copied a physician's view from the statewide online discussion group 
that may be of interest.

Also of interest is the economist Ed Lotterman's column in today's St Paul 
Pioneer Press. Of particular interest is his commentary on the relationship 
of fees to research in major hospitals such as those in the Mayo group.

--- In [EMAIL PROTECTED], "Michael Fratto"
<[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
Lets talk health care.  The conservatives want to cut MnCare.  What
happens
if this occurs?  It saves the state some money in its budget.  BUT
what else
happens?  Those who lost coverage, now use the most expensive type
of
medical service, emergency rooms.  This means every person who has
health
insurance will pay more for their coverage.  Why?  Because the
hospitals
MUST cover those emergency room costs somewhere. so they increase
the
cost
of their services.
This is frequently cited as a source of increasing cost of health
care but I don't think it is all that clear.  Recent studies on
Medicare cite the fact that most hospitals lose money taking care of
Medicare patients.  In Minnesota, there are statistics on the
hospitals that provide millions of dollars each year in unfunded
care.  The upper limits of those figures are about 2-3% of total
charges.  There is a 2% provider tax that affects most hospitals
although some have been exempted because of the amount of charity
care they provide.
The most relevant factor in Minnesota health care costs is the
insurance company and government monopsony that sets all the fees and
charges.  It is basically irrelevant what a hospital or doctor
decides to charge a government payer or insurance company because they
usually have to accept what they are paid.
When I see people being cut off an insurance program like Minnesota
Care - I don't assume that it will have any impact on private payers.
I think it is basically a message to physicians and hospitals that
they will be expected to provide more uncompensated care.
The real problem is that care of the individual patient suffers.
Without insurance you can be treated for an acute episode.  The
hospital might even provide you will a month of medications after you
leave.  Beyond that your hope for  continued care depends on you
establishing a relationship with a sparse network of public clinics
and hoping that they can provide you with the medicine you need.
The real human cost is what politicians and administrators don't
talk about.
George Dawson
St. Paul, MN
[EMAIL PROTECTED]


_______________________________________________
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