|
Ustwo
Maybe market forces could work for elective things like dentistry or routine doctor visits etc.. Although I have had a difficult time comparison shopping for dentists so far. Just out of curiosity do you get a lot of people getting comparison pricing from you? Most of the people I talk to only care if the dental work is covered on their insurance and do not care what the overall charge is unless they have to pay.
I cannot imagine how we can change the hospital industry to be more competitive though. Maybe if there were a few dozen hospitals around and when the paramedics come after you call 911 after an accident you could have a card on you that says take me to XYZ hospital because you have pre-price shopped them already or something. But the real world does not work this way, there are only a few hospitals around most areas (only one in my area). How in the world can we make them more competitive?
Also, I don't think that everyone who is advocating socialized systems are lazy and uneducated. Some of us do not know much about hospital systems and from a consumer standpoint think the present system is out of control. Other than insurance companies getting doctors and hospitals to fix rates for certain procedures there does not seem to be much cost control. Having insurance companies determine rates does not seem like the way to go but from what little I know that seems to be the case today.
|