THE BUREAUCRATIC EXPLOSION ASSOCIATED WITH SOCIALIZED MEDICINE
|| By FITSNEWS || We’ve written repeatedly on the extent to which U.S. president Barack Obama‘s socialized medicine monstrosity is kicking the crap out of the U.S. economy.
It’s been an unmitigated disaster … and the latest evidence of its adverse impact is the escalation of administrative costs.
According to data (.pdf here) released by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)’ actuarial office, Obamacare will be responsible for $273.6 billion in new administrative costs from 2014-2022. Of that total, $172.2 billion will go to increased private insurance overhead.
The rest – $101.4 billion – is new government overhead, including Medicaid administration (which has soared from 5.1 to 9.2 percent of total outlays over the past three-and-a-half decades).
“The $273.6 billion in added insurance overhead under (Obamacare) averages out to $1,375 per newly insured person per year, or 22.5 percent of the total federal government expenditures for the program,” a report from David Himmelstein and Steffie Woolhandler at Health Affairs concluded.
Ouch …
Before we start patting Himmelstein and Woolhandler on the back for exposing all this new overhead, though, it’s worth noting the pair is pushing for a “universal single payer system” – or a system in which the government subsidizes all health care costs.
That’s the very last thing we need to do …
This website consistently maintained that Obamacare would be disastrous for America – and we were right (see HERE, HERE and HERE).
These runaway overhead costs are just another example of how socialized medicine is draining both the U.S. economy and the taxpayers who are relied upon to subsidize it.
87 comments
The fact that we refuse to join the rest of the civilized world and offer health care to all is just another indicator that the US has more in common with the third world nations than we would like to admit.
In more than a few cases, the rest of the civilized world is separating itself from socialized medicine, too.
Sweden? Almost totally privatized Health Care. And they are a beacon for all of Europe. The “rich” of Europe are flocking to Sweden for their actual care. Euro doctors and nurses are moving there, too, so they can get a decent wage and to stop getting ripped off by EuroTrash governments.
——–
The main problem with the “progressive” influenced liberal “establishment” is the confusion between Health Care and health insurance. A disconnect: “universal” health care insurance does not automatically produce quality Health Care. Not at all. And it never has and it never will.
The best Health Care costs real money. Gruberment isn’t unable to mess with that very real fact and can not enslave the best doctors and the best nurses with a short changed pay check. Really, the best doctors and the best nurses would be happy to charge what is fair and real and civilized for their time, training and abilities … WITHOUT g’ment interference.
Paraphrasing Dennis Miller: I would be happy to help the helpless, but I refuse to help the clueless.
Dennis Miller is about as full of shit as you can get but no real surprise that you are quoting him.
All the Fox News douchebags are full of shit, he’s just picking his favorite one.
Right, because CNN and MSNBC are full of insightful sages.
Not worth it, if they think only Fox News is biased they don’t think for themselves.
Frankly, guys, I have never underestimated the amount of smoke a liberal can blow up his own ass.
OK, then I will say it:
I would be happy to help the helpless, but I refuse to help the clueless.
Not so fast there Eddy. You at least ought to check Wikipedia before you Post this junk. At least have the sense not to lie about things that are easily checked. Sweden, Germany, and other EU countries have hybrid systems of pUblic and private similar to buying a Medicare supplement to expand choices and quality. But the most essential part remains: a tax-funded Heath care safety net.
True! In the case of Sweden, only the old line socialist pensioners are still signed up for the old “public” system. Everyone else, Everyone else, everyone else even most Swedish government employees … are signed up for the Swedish Private Health Care System.
Yes, there is a public Swedish government supported health care safety net, but almost all Swedish citizens do not need it or use it.
But, again, if you will notice this has nothing to do with who pays the Swedish HealthCare INSURANCE.
Universal Health Care, yes we must go to single payer health care so the premiums can go into the general fund and congress can spend the money on anything they want. The Social Security and Medicare lock box has worked so well, has it not? What’s an $18 Trillion dollar national debt, just a drop in the bucket, right?
The increase in cost of ObamaCare is only just started.
…and the decreasing quality of care has only started as well.
Hasn’t happened to our company under the same group health plan that we’ve had for years . . . . when exactly is this decrease in quality of care supposed to begin, Baby?
My care hasn’t changed, my insurance did go up a bit but not by a lot. I’m willing to pay a bit more if it means people don’t get screwed by the way the system used to be. It is an improvement, big big improvement, they will never admit it though!
The Affordable Care Act was supposed to make health care more affordable, but a study of insurance policies before and after Obamacare shows that average premiums have skyrocketed, for some groups by as much as 78 percent.
Average insurance premiums in the sought-after 23-year-old demographic rose most dramatically, with men in that age group seeing an average 78.2 percent price increase before factoring in government subsidies, and women having their premiums rise 44.9 percent, according to a report by HealthPocket scheduled for release Wednesday.
The study, which was shared Tuesday with The Washington Times, examined average health insurance premiums before the implementation of Obamacare in 2013 and then afterward in 2014. The research focused on people of three ages — 23, 30 and 63 — using data for nonsmoking men and women with no spouses or children.
Read more: http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/oct/28/obamacare-sends-health-premiums-skyrocketing-by-as/#ixzz3c0N4HxDi
Follow us: @washtimes on Twitter
Mine’s up 53%.
It’s started right now. Your specific anecdote is meaningless in the big picture.
Why do you think the Swedes have been moving to private health care? It took them decades to burn through the capital built up prior to their socialization.
Why do you think Canadians drive/drove down the US to avoid long wait lines when they had to have a serious problem diagnosed?(so they could then move to the front of the line)
Oh for crying out loud. Our company’s group health premium saw the lowest annual percentage rate hike that it has in ten years! You can post all the nonsense on here that you want to and regurgitate everything that Sean Hannity said on his program last night but it still doesn’t make it so.
“Our company’s group health premium saw the lowest annual percentage rate hike that it has in ten years! ”
Just so you remember, the specific “promise” was that rates would go down, not up more slowly.
“Just so you remember, the specific “promise” was that rates would go down, not up more slowly.”
Based on my experience it certainly appears to be headed in the right direction. And I know you do not want to hear that. But our company and our employees are certainly appreciative that the annual increase was less than before the ACA – it may mean nothing to you but it does to the ones who are actually paying for it.
” it may mean nothing to you but it does to the ones who are actually paying for it.”
What does that specific sentence mean? Are you suggesting I don’t pay for my insurance?
Keep reading it and you’ll figure it out – maybe. What does that specific sentence mean? ”
Keep reading it and you’ll figure it out – maybe.
Why don’t you dumb it down for me and explain it? If you’re insulting me, why not at least have the balls to say so? If you’re not, then why not at least explain it?
If you’re suggesting that those that paying the premiums(which would include me) “appreciate” that their increases are lower than the year previous I think you are mistaken.
One year of “lower increases” doesn’t make a trend, especially give the recent headlines that this coming year is going to see massive increases.
That’s because all of us are paying for it, since one-fifth of large corporations’ insurance premiums have been transferred to medicare. Incidentally, it’s a move that IS unconstitutional. Then, again, since you don’t watch Fox Business you probably don’t know about that little move.. but you surely are quick to condemn and conject.
“but you surely are quick to condemn and conject”
She’s suggesting one year makes a trend or establishes causation.
Do you have a reading comprehension problem? The numbers and statements of indications of problems yet to come with ObamaCare come from Healthcare industry sources and US government agencies.
I’ll check back with you in a couple of years to see how your insurance costs are progressing. Just because you have not been affected yet, does not mean it will not happen. Please read the FITS article again, I doubt that Hannity helped them write it.
Oh, by the way, I don’t watch Hannity very often, But I am glad to hear he is on the right track.
“Do you have a reading comprehension problem?”
No – I do not. And there is nothing in my comment to suggest that I do. Do you have a reading comprehension problem? My anecdotal experience is real and true and speaks volumes – it simply contradicts what you posted – period. Check with me in a couple of years – and it has already been a couple of years since it started – you simply do not want anyone to report anything that contradicts you – but I did. So there. And based on your posts it appears you watch Hannity enough.
Flip,
I am sorry. You were right about Obamacare.
Rocky
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I am the true Rocky. Incremental costs that have resulted in millions upon millions of Americans getting health insurance. Oh my goodness. World is ending.
You were the ONLY one that asked me about my health. Thank you. It was not forgotten. Hope your family is well.
You are generally wrong about everything political but a damn decent liberal in my opinion. :)
LOL+
I have no brain, no job, no life, and I sit on here all day praising my allah Haley! LMAO!!! LMAO!!!
I, and so many others, told ya so…..
Phffft! LMFAO Best one I’ve seen on here in a long time! Too funny!
Your memory called. Wants you to pick up.
and how exactly does a picture of a US Navy PO3 records clerk relate to the story. Buy some graphics, FITS.
Looks like the 14th folder from the right is MY medical record from the Navy!
Hopefully sir it was a skinny file:)
Enlistment weight: 100 # — (puny and weak)
Separation weight: 145 # — (a bad-ass in 4 years)
3 months after separation date: 170 # — (due to my German wife’s cooking and sitting in classrooms)
And a cheap price for the taxpayers? Education by GI Bill? Did you learn anything besides the bad joke database?
Did not use GI Bill – paid entire tuition with savings // up-front to get 25% discount….
Did not get into humor and jokes until later, sort of by accident…
Why would you NOT use GI Bill and pay yourself instead. Rest of story?
Honestly, thinking back, I really can’t remember — but I think (?) that I may have wanted to save it for a later use and I didn’t follow up on that. My ex-wife may remember but I’m not in a mood to call her today. She is still pissed off at USC because she was refused a teaching position for lack of a university degree. She was fluent in six languages with a degree from a special school in Europe which was not a formal university.
I didn’t use GI Bill either, but at one time did use VEAP. I didn’t invest in the GI Bill. After the war, I decided I would rather pay than continue the active reserve status and VEAP. It was cheaper.
You’re not anti-GI Bill, are ya?
Freeloaders!
Absolutely Not! High danger, low pay, tiny pensions, bad food, poor equipment, wrongheaded assignments … Somehow those wrongs have to righted, even if is poorly administered and executed.
I’m going to paraphrase Jessie Ventura, who was my favorite heel in wrestling when I was a kid, because I can’t remember the EXACT quote:
“When I was in the military(underwater demolition team) I used to be able to scale buildings, when I got out and went into wrestling I put on weight and was able to lift them.”
hah! — pretty good there
I’m now reminded of James Bond in Casino Royale:
Vesper Lynd: “You know James, I just want you to know that if all that was left of you was your smile and your little finger, you’d still be more of a man than anyone I’ve ever met.”
James Bond: “That’s because you know what I can do with my little finger.”
YEP..!!
<—– dying laughing!
Was’ as’ matta’ kid? Not cute enough fo’ ya’?
It’s a great time to be a lobbyist or a gubmint beaurocrat!!!!!
hey… that’s a DENTIST’s office!
Yeah! When we gonna get free dental, too?
Who needs teeth huh Eddy?
Teeth or teeff?
If people want single payer in health care; why not a single payer for food, water, clothing, housing, electricity, gas, auto insurance, life insurance, internet and cell service?
… hookers, drugs and rock’n’roll, too?
Only for the political royalty.
Another variation on the same theme:
If people want a minimum wage, why stop at $10 or $15/hour? Whey not make it $25, $50, or $100/hour? They shouldn’t be pikers.
Wait, prices didn’t go down?
Obama lied?
Yawn. There were plenty of doom and gloom naysayers before and after Social Security and Medicare were enacted too. As this blog does, all were trying to score political points, not help Americans or the country as a whole.
Two wrongs don’t make a right.
Oh Eddy – what to do with you? Oh – almost forgot – how is that push mower, excuse me, durable medical equipment, doing these days?
That’s what my Wife, She who must be obeyed, asked the other day. … So, I drug the old unit out, greased it up, cleaned the white wall tires … Then it got too dark to see … Heh, heh, heh.
No, I’m not a “borrow and spend” guy. two wrongs? What? You want to eliminate OASDI and Medicare? Really? Nobody is arguing that programs, like large businesses and bureaucracies, could use some improved efficiencies. But, if you are arguing that ACA should be eliminated, well, tell that to the TON of people who are very happy to have it. Let us know how that works out. it will be the equivalent of “keep your gov’t hands off my Medicare”
Rakkasan, Using your logic, all government programs should be beyond reproach because they are good for: ____________________.
(Fill in the blank.)
A. Children
B. Old People
C. Black People
D. Poor People
E. Rich people
F. Puppies
G.Kitties
H. Leprechauns
I. All the above
Using your logic, I (being you) can use a sweeping generalization to respond to any argument. Works as well as any error or fallacy I can think of. That and the error of dichotomous/either-or choices , I.e. All good or all bad. You know, like Colbert said: “Great President, or greatest President?”
Some people on the left have a tendency to stick their heads in the sand on this ObamaCare issue. If the higher prices, limited availability, and declining quality of care has not affected them yet, eventually,it will.
These claims of higher prices, limited care, and are not fabricated, as they say, “by the nuts on the rights,” but by our own government and health care industry.
If you haven’t seen the affects of this yet, you will, and soon.
… and don’t forget the “death panels”. That’s what those fed FEMA camps are all about. That’s why FEMA spends more money on ammo than on drinking water.
Bo not snicker at this: There are twelve FEMA camps in South Carolina.
We have a winner!
When Medicare was first created it took a long time for it to really take off, a lot of people were confused about it and it had a rocky start. See if old people want their Medicare taken away today!
You’re making an argument using two programs that are on the path to fiscal insolvency and will need more taxpayer money in terms of % to stave off collapse?
Really?!?!!
You got yourself some “thumbs up” too.
Amazing….
What is amazing is that you believe that a program with a constant funding stream, one that is not that difficult to tweak, is on a path to insolvency. Urban myth. Go to urban myths.com. You’ll love it
Many Americans who’ve enrolled on the Obamacare exchanges are realizing they have access to a relatively limited set of doctors and hospitals. In many areas, the largest hospitals are not participating and many doctors are not accepting the coverage.
That’s by design. To keep premiums down for silver and bronze plans, insurers narrowed the networks of doctors and hospitals, often excluding the priciest and most specialized providers.
“The unavoidable truth is that health care costs are growing faster than people’s income,” said Sara Collins, a vice president for the health care coverage and access program at the Commonwealth Fund. “Narrow networks are a reflection of that.”
And it was people’s belief that their insurance should buy them and all the health care they wanted that was a major factor in driving up health care costs. Lots of people argue for limits on health care and health care spending, until it involves a loved one during the last year of life. Then they want everything for their loved one, often despite the fact that the request stands to add little to no quality of life for the patient
“What is amazing is that you believe that a program with a constant funding stream, one that is not that difficult to tweak, is on a path to insolvency. Urban myth.”
Seriously, you need to bone up.
Per the government’s(& SSA) own website:
“Sustained solvency would require payroll tax rate increases or benefit reductions (or a combination thereof) by the end of the period that are substantially larger than those needed on average for this report’s long-range period (2014-88).”
http://www.ssa.gov/oact/trsum/
They need a larger % to make it “work”(which it doesn’t do well now).
It’s not a “tweak”. It’s a display of how all such programs eventually fail.
Where exactly on the SSA site is this located? Who is the author? How much is “substantially” Odd it doesn’t offer the option of raising the payroll cap of $118,000 per year after which you pay no additional SS tax on income . Very odd. Especially since this would solve a major part of the problem. Suspicious indeed
I provided the link….
It’s not a conspiracy theory…it’s right there in “black & white”. As for who wrote it, you’d have to ask the Social Security Administration…as it’s their information.
Three-quarters of emergency physicians say they’ve seen ER patient visits surge since Obamacare took effect — just the opposite of what many Americans expected would happen.
A poll released today by the American College of Emergency Physicians shows that 28% of 2,099 doctors surveyed nationally saw large increases in volume, while 47% saw slight increases. By contrast, fewer than half of doctors reported any increases last year in the early days of the Affordable Care Act.
Such hikes run counter to one of the goals of the health care overhaul, which is to reduce pressure on emergency rooms by getting more people insured through Medicaid or subsidized private coverage and providing better access to primary care.
A major reason that hasn’t happened is there simply aren’t enough primary care physicians to handle all the newly insured patients, says ACEP President Mike Gerardi, an emergency physician in New Jersey.
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2015/05/04/emergency-room-visits-rise-under-affordable-care-act/26625571/
Imagine that.NO doctors.
The word “surge” was never used in describing this data. It was “increased”. And, it should really not be that much of a surprise. People get coverage for the first time. They go for care that they have been putting off due to no insurance. Historically they went to Ers and Urgent Care because they’ve never participated in managed care through a Primary Care Provider. This is a transitional problem that will be reduced over time in linking people to the appropriate level of care. And, the docs responding to the survey were citing their memories and impressions, not data sets.
The overall mortality rates world wide, country by country, are now a secret, apparently. The death rate from enforced vaccinations, recently, have been removed from the CDC’s web sites.
That’s another thing … Because of this administration’s manipulations of facts and statistics to cover their asses about how unsuccessful BummerCare is and has been …
People are dying from the abuses of the health care system by this administration.
I can’t remember the precise number because I was driving and couldn’t jot it down, but today on NPR one of the yammering guests advised that the latest numbers indicate that only 10-11 million new, premium-paying insured parties were added to the rolls by the ACA. Has anyone done the per-insured cost calculation on that? Would it have been cheaper just to buy the folks a mid-grade policy off the shelf? I had to get out of the car right when they were digging into the Medicaid side of the debate…
perhaps this is the money that used to be paid by states and counties to hospitals for treating sick people. perhaps the actual amount of tax money spent on healthcare has not increased much, it has just moved onto one ledger where you can see it. perhaps you are a dolt?