Why we have the most expensive and least effective health care system in the world — Class 11
Friends,
This week we examine health inequality in America — and what can and should be done about it. Just click below.
Among the questions I’ll be addressing are: Why and how are inequalities of income, wealth, power, and race related to health? Next, assuming that good health care is a limited resource, what’s the best means of allocating it — through the so-called “free market,” through rationing, through government subsidies, or some other means?
More specifically, I’ll be asking how poor and lower-income families can achieve better health? Which inevitably raises the question whether we should move toward a single-payer health care plan — and if so, how? And finally, how is the range of politically acceptable health policy solutions likely to change as a result of the pandemic?
Recommended readings (just click on the link):
Kimberly Amadeo, “What Is Universal Health Care?” The Balance, December 6, 2022
Linda Villarosa, “Why America’s Black Mothers and Babies Are in a Life-or-Death Crisis,” The New York Times, April 11, 2018
So glad you can be here today. (As before, if you’re receiving this free of charge, please consider a paid subscription or paid gift subscription so we can do even more.)
The situation has gotten much worse in the past few years. Private equity firms have gotten into healthcare and are having a feast on whatever is remaining of the carcass. And since they have seen blood, they're not going to let go of it so easily...until nothing remains. This affects even those who have insurance, so I don't understand why people are so opposed to any form of a government system. Also, it irks me that whenever someone...Bernie...talks about universal healthcare, people talk about the cost, or more specifically, an increase in their taxes. I just don't understand how people think that they can get things for free. Besides, most of us already pay an enormous sum of insurance premium anyway. Why can't they realize that the insurance premium they already pay is a form of tax?
We have the most expensive and least effective health system because of the health insurance industry. Money which should go to hospitals, medicine, and health care providers goes instead to health insurance stock holders and employees.