Letters to the Editor in Mpls Star Trib:
Motivations matter
in debate over the future of health care.
April 18, 2019
Jim Mone •
Associated Press
The UnitedHealth
Group campus in Minnetonka. Speaking to investment analysts as his
company announced a 22% jump in profit for the first three months of
the year, CEO David Wichmann criticized the prospect of a
government-led single-payer system.
……….
The April 17 article
“UnitedHealth sounds alarm on single-payer system” ought to have
more forcefully explained David Wichmann’s clear conflict of
interest on this topic. According to statements filed for the 2017
fiscal year, Mr. Wichmann made $17,389,976 as CEO of UnitedHealth
Group, an average of $47,643.77 per day for a 365-day year. When he
makes pronouncements about the future of health care in the United
States, and about making sure more of us have access to quality care,
it’s important to understand that his job and all his personal
incentive centers on the stock price and the profitability of the
company he runs, and none whatsoever on the well-being of the
citizens of this country.
Of course he is
speaking out against universal care of any kind; it would hurt the
finances of the company he heads. He almost certainly has a whole
team of people on this campaign. It’s startling to think he could
buy a new car, and a nice one, outright, daily.
Merrill Aldrich, St.
Paul
• • •
How about a little
transparent light on health care and turn off the gaslight?
Fifty-eight countries have some form of universal health care.
Switzerland has an interesting combination of government-subsidized
health care and private insurance. The private insurance is strictly
regulated by the government. A ranking of 11 industrialized countries
measuring quality, efficiency, access, equity and healthy lives
ranked the U.S. last, No. 11. The World Health Organization has
ranked us 37th globally. We have the most expensive health care
system with the worst outcomes. We pay astronomical prices for
medications. The last two years with our current president has seen a
rise of 3.2 million more people now uninsured. Twenty-eight million
people in this country have no insurance.
The American health
care system run and regulated by corporate America is a disgrace. We
all deserve better.
Claire Auckenthaler,
Minneapolis
• • •
Wichmann was quoted
as saying some startlingly inaccurate assumptions about the proposed
system of “Medicare for All.” He stated that a universal health
care system would “surely jeopardize the relationship people have
with their doctors … and limit the ability of clinicians to
practice medicine at their best.” Meanwhile, the Japanese, who have
a universal health care system, visit their doctors and clinics at a
rate almost three times the global average and have some of the best
health outcomes in the world.
Americans are far
less likely than comparable countries to have long-term relationships
with primary care physicians and are much less likely to seek out
care due to high costs. The Medicare for All system would
significantly decrease the apprehension Americans have in seeking out
care, thereby making health care far more accessible and improving
our health outcomes.
Wichmann also claims
that a universal health care system would have an “inherent cost
burden” on the economy; however, when compared with Germany’s
universal health care system, which is mostly funded through premiums
paid for by employers and employees, German employers pay 10% less
than American employers in health insurance premiums, making their
system a better deal for all involved, especially considering the
amount of health care services individuals are entitled to through
that system.
The evidence can be
seen here in the United States as well: According to a Gallup report,
there is a 77% satisfaction rate with the Medicare system, compared
to 65-69% satisfaction rate with the employer or individual buy-in
system and only 41% satisfaction rate among the uninsured.
The profiteering on
human lives and health in this country is abhorrent, which is why a
universal health care system that would guarantee health care for all
is the best choice for the progress of the American society.
Ali Jacobson,
Minneapolis
• • •
I’d like to hear
Wichmann explain just exactly how a single-payer health system would
“jeopardize the relationship people have with their doctors.”
Sounds to me like he’s trying to stoke up irrational fear to
preserve a vested interest. Company earnings of $3.47 billion in
three months. I’m an old coot; I’ve had many doctors for many
things, specialists for one thing or another that don’t require
ongoing relationships. I’ve changed doctors for my convenience. One
moved to San Diego; I found another. What’s the big deal?
As to “destabilizing
the nation’s health system,” that system is precisely the problem
that needs solving. When I have a medical problem, I don’t want it
regarded as a “claim” with some question as to whether it’s
“covered” or “in-network.” I just want it taken care of
without having to plead my case. Nor do I want what I pay for
medications depend on a panel at Optima deciding how much of a
sky-high arbitrary asking price that pharmaceutical companies peg
their products at will be accepted, keeping quarterly earnings in
mind.
James Wallace, Eden
Prairie
• • •
I retired a few
years ago, forcing a switch to Medicare from my employer-paid (except
for my 20%) health insurance. The only disruption I experienced was a
premium reduction; my Medicare premiums, including the part D
supplement, were cheaper than my 20% contribution to my employer’s
plan. I kept the exact same set of doctors and other health care
providers, and even had my coverage through the same insurance
provider.
A couple of years
ago, I switched to an even cheaper plan with a different provider.
But again, I continue to see my same doctors. The copays on this
second Medicare Supplement plan are higher, but my premiums are
lower. And the annual out-of-pocket max for both of my Medicare
Supplement plans are lower than the annual out-of-pocket max for my
former employer’s plan.
To summarize my
experience switching from employer-paid insurance to Medicare: same
docs, lower cost. I haven’t found this especially disruptiveJohn Trepp,
Minneapolis
