[Winona Online Democracy] I have a couple of thoughts about Paul's posting and questions. First, I think the Privatization that is happening in Canada has more to do with the struggles between liberals (who want to keep the social contract) and conservatives who want to involve insurance companies in the process. It has little to do with the quality of the Canadian system.
Second, many people buy supplemental insurance because they do not want to pay the 20% of their cost that Medicare requires. So instead they spend a lot more on the supplement. Medicare forbids balance billing of the patient by providers so they are only responsible for the 20% of the allowed charges which are typically about 1/2 of the billed charge. I have always thought the supplements are probably unnecessary. You are correct that the supplement can increase the burden of insurance handling in offices. Some physicians solve this by refusing the file to secondary insurance. In Canada there is no 20% so there is no need for supplemental insurance unless people want to go outside the system. For many years it was illegal to buy supplemental insurance in Canada but that was changed. Finally, I think Paul is correct. We will likely see states go to a single payer system before it is finally adopted at the federal level. But we have to try everything else first. Bill William Davis MD [EMAIL PROTECTED] 507.454.5050 ext 623 825 Mankato Ave Winona MN 55987 "Two seconds is too long!" Neal Patterson CEO Cerner Corp -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Paul Double Sent: Thursday, April 06, 2006 1:58 PM To: Online Democracy Subject: FW: [Winona] Health Care [Winona Online Democracy] The St. Paul Pioneer Press crediting an article in the Washington Post by Doug Struck reported that the new Canadian Prime Minister of Canada is reversing the last 12 years of Canadian policy by loosening the government monopoly on health care. So much for the vastly over rated(in the U.S.) Canadian single payer system. It was most interesting to hear again Kip Sullivan speak this week on a single payer system. Kip stated several times on merits of the Canadian system. The most interesting questions asked by someone when much of Kip's saving gained was from eliminating provider staff by not dealing with multiple insurance company forms. "The questions if a Medicare system is so good then why do people buy supplemental insurance? So what staff is eliminated it this becomes the practice as it now with Medicare?" And to address the question of why anyone would pay more money for extra care or services if everyone was included and the bill paid by the government. The question was answered by the statement "People are offered a free education in the public schools yet many will and do pay additional money to send their children to private and parochial schools because they feel they will achieve high results." I would invite anyone to visit http://www.mchamn.com/docs/ded200506.pdf and check their rates to those listed remembering that these guaranteed rates are "higher by up to 125% of the prevailing market rates and are "only available" to those who are denied lower rate coverage. MCHA is, in my opinion, the best protection and tool for individuals, small business and others to keep the insurance companies in check and to provide consumers and companies alike from paying excessive group rates. The question that needs to be asked is why can't people in a given geographic area set up a single "payment system" with local providers using local banks and credit unions?? All of which could remove 20% out of the insurance cost allowing the saved insurance premium cost to be used for purchasing provider services and prescriptions. Paul Double _______________________________________________ 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 _______________________________________________ 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
