8 Myths About Health Care Reform
By Karen Cheney, July & August 2009

And why we can't afford to believe them anymore.

http://www.aarpmagazine.org/health/8...re_reform.html

He refused to consider Tort Reform as part of the package.
As such.... he completely lost my support.

I couldn't find any information on Karen Cheney, the author of the article. Also. AARP has lost alot of credibility for seniors as it blindly leans towards left leaning progressive ideals.

I think AARP has studied the situation and knows we can't continue to stick our head in the sand. The skyrocketing costs are not going away. Health care premiums for the insured are projected to rise 13% in 2010 alone. It is rising out of the reach of young families.

AARP is a business and it is heavy into politics.
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,143473,00.html

http://article.nationalreview.com/?q...hmMTQ4MWU5Mzg=

Health care reform by the government is a myth. Government never reforms anything. It's nothing more than a tax and another way to put us further in debt and further dependent on them. But I digress, I guess some want government in control of every aspect of their life.

Does anyone know what percent of medical costs is attributed to malpractice insurance?

Yoda

Not sure but I heard an interview with a doctor the other day. He has a private practice with a total of 15 employees. Couple doctors, nurses, admin staff, etc.

His malpractice insurance is $200,000 per year. Wonder why costs are so high?

Originally Posted by Yoda

Does anyone know what percent of medical costs is attributed to malpractice insurance?

Yoda

According to an April 2006 background paper published by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), medical malpractice costs amounted to less than 2% of overall health care spending. the CBO estimates that even if medical malpractice costs were reduced 25-30%, the overall effect on health care costs would be <0.5%.

http://www.cbo.gov/ftpdocs/71xx/doc7...alpractice.pdf

However, the cost of malpractice insurance is not really the problem with torts. The real reason that tort reform is needed is the high cost of defensive medicine that results from doctors ordering expensive tests to avoid being sued.

Originally Posted by NJblue

However, the cost of malpractice insurance is not really the problem with torts. The real reason that tort reform is needed is the high cost of defensive medicine that results from doctors ordering expensive tests to avoid being sued.

Let's call "defensive medicine" for what is really is - fraud, and possibly battery!

Telling folk you need to have tests done (time consuming, invasive, expensive) when they are not medically necessary, but only to provide back-up evidence in case of a claim, is fraud. I don't care how one wants to rationalize it. In every other industry, comparable behavior is fraud. It's like your auto mechanic telling you that the only way we can be sure the oil change was sufficient is to tear down the engine for further inspection - if you have knowledge of how an engine works, would you condone that? When professionals bank on the ignorance of their customers regarding the technical facets of the provided service - and bilk them for higher costs - that's fraud.

A battery can be both a tort and a crime (depending on the extent of the harm). Its essential element, harmful or offensive contact, is the same in both areas of the law. Most invasive medical tests/procedures qualify as such when coupled with intent [e.g., knowing there is no medical need (just legal "CYA" for the health care provider) for the test/procedure].

Again, one can rationalize any kind of action when it benefits oneself.

Originally Posted by dklassen

Health care reform by the government is a myth. Government never reforms anything. It's nothing more than a tax and another way to put us further in debt and further dependent on them. But I digress, I guess some want government in control of every aspect of their life.