Uncompassionate Conservatism - NYTimes.com

Uncompassionate Conservatism - NYTimes.com
Talks about Romney but speaks to health care:
Excerpt:
"But most of all, we don’t see the health insurance company as providing us a service. We see ourselves, rather, as indentured supplicants forced to pay exorbitant monthly rates for a basic need that responsible people with means can’t get out of paying for if we can help it. We don’t see ourselves as in control of the relationship with them. They are in control of us–and no more so than when we get sick and need the insurance most."

Annual growth in US health care spending at historic lows; experts debate if relief will last | StarTribune.com

Annual growth in US health care spending at historic lows; experts debate if relief will last | StarTribune.com

Postponing or just plain skipping medical care is likely to cost more in the long run - both in dollars for treating more advanced illness and in pain, suffering and death.

Instead of tweaking system at patients’ expense, opt for single payer - Letters - The Boston Globe

Instead of tweaking system at patients’ expense, opt for single payer - Letters - The Boston Globe

Great little letter from a Boston doc:

Tiered coverage limits choice for patients who may prefer doctors or hospitals outside their network, and unfairly penalizes patients who can’t afford extra fees to go to providers of their choice. The SaveOn initiative that pays patients to go to less expensive service facilities, even though their doctor may not recommend them, strains the important doctor-patient relationship and raises doubt about the quality of cheaper services.

The real solution to the health care crisis should be focused on eliminating the huge administrative waste generated by the health insurance industry, the unacceptable number of uninsured, the growing number of underinsured, and the Rube-Goldberg-like systemic complexity that makes patients fall through the cracks.

Patients should be the center of a strong health care system that makes high-quality health care available to everyone regardless of ability to pay. We need a single payer system that covers everyone, provides continuous care, and is affordable and sustainable.

Despite GOP Claims, U.S. Health Care Nowhere Near ‘Best’ in the World | NationofChange

Despite GOP Claims, U.S. Health Care Nowhere Near ‘Best’ in the World | NationofChange:
by: Wendell Potter
Excerpt:

"Last week, the 34-nation Organization for Economic Cooperation (OECD) released the results of its most recent study of the health care systems in its member countries, including the U.S., plus six others, for a total of 40. And those results are illuminating.

If Boehner and his fellow Republicans had characterized the U.S. system as the most expensive in the world, they would have been right on target. But they would have been way off base by calling it the best."

Last week, the 34-nation Organization for Economic Cooperation (OECD) released the results of its most recent study of the health care systems in its member countries, including the U.S., plus six others, for a total of 40. And those results are illuminating.

If Boehner and his fellow Republicans had characterized the U.S. system as the most expensive in the world, they would have been right on target. But they would have been way off base by calling it the

Last week, the 34-nation Organization for Economic Cooperation (OECD) released the results of its most recent study of the health care systems in its member countries, including the U.S., plus six others, for a total of 40. And those results are illuminating.

If Boehner and his fellow Republicans had characterized the U.S. system as the most expensive in the world, they would have been right on target. But they would have been way off base by calling it the best.

Health care law won't be as easy to repeal as GOP contenders say - TwinCities.com

Health care law won't be as easy to repeal as GOP contenders say - TwinCities.com:

Some interesting comments on the "ObamaCare" debate.

Plain Talk: Health care solution is simple: single-payer

Plain Talk: Health care solution is simple: single-payer:

A great colomn on the need for Medicare for All.

Governor Dayton Announces Task Force to Identify Ways to Provide Better Health Care at a Lower Cost

Governor Dayton Announces Task Force to Identify Ways to Provide Better Health Care at a Lower Cost:

Hope we have a friend on this.

This Trib. article shows the battle already in the works with the Legislature.