Originally posted by Toad
Strk, like everything else, it's not an issue that is easily generalized.
For example, how much of our current health care costs are driven by our "somebody has to pay" legal system in which attorneys get huge percentages of the settlements? A system where "shot in the dark" lawsuits are common because the hope is the target will settle rather than litigate? In short, what piece of the action are the trial lawyers getting? I see you hammering those evil insurance companies, but not the Association of Trial Lawyers of America.
This is one huge lobbying machine. They're rabidly against tort reform. Who do they contribute to the most in order to achieve their goals?
You're after the insurance companies and rightfully so. It is unconscionable what they pay a CEO of HMO because the ones that make them most are the ones most successful at minimizing client benefits. Not to mention the other dirty tricks they pull, like authorizing medications based on pharmaceutical company kickbacks. They need their house cleaned.
But what's your position on tort reform? That probably has as much to do with health care costs here as anything the insurance companies do.
I'm not really deeply informed on Vermont's health care but could you read this article and tell me of any inaccuracies you find?
Vermont's Badly Managed Care
first of all, dont bother linking to RW spin trash like the Weekly Standard. You might as well site Matt Drudge or Rushbo.
Second - Med Mal does increase insurance premiums - but premiums also go up when insurance stock investments go south - this is well documented. Also people who have been injure by Med Mal need a system to redress those injuries, and bad things do happen. Also in every state and the federal system a defendant can get his legal costs paid by the plaintiff for frivolous lawsuits
and the big problem with med mal is that the state boards and the AMA are highly reluctant to pull a DR's license after he is sued, even if he causes serious injury. So we have this small percentage of MDs that get sued over and over again. This is part of the problem
Look at VA's solution - state supplied insurance for the highest risk MDs - thereby lowering insurance costs for all - not bad imo
