Economic Stimulus and Universal Health Care
To stimulate the economy, expand government health insurance. To stimulate the economy, defeat government health insurance expansions.
Tag: Health Insurance
Financial Risk and Medical care: U.S. vs. Canada
In the U.S. a much higher percentage of medical is paid for out of pocket. Further, there are about 45 million uninsured. In Canada, the government pays for almost all health care. The benefits and costs of a centralized, universal health care system have been discussed previously on this blog (see Oct 2, 2007 and…
Three Part Series on Health Insurance
The Los Angeles Times has a three part series looking at the health insurance market in the U.S. An eroding model for health insurance. Seeking distance from medical risk, insurers branch out into banking. Individual policies, often the only coverage available, are pricey and precarious.
McCain and the Tax Deductibility of Health Insurance
What are the tax implications of John McCain’s health care proposal? The key components are that health insurance will no longer be tax deductible but individuals will receive a $5000 credit of purchasing health insurance. Let’s work out some simple math to see how this will impact the life of a typical American. Example with…
Thoughts on individual mandates
Health insurance require that all individuals buy health insurance. Most voters views on an individual mandate depend on how you frame the question. If you ask voters: “Should everyone buy health insurance?” Most people will say yes. If you ask “Should the government compel all individuals to buy health insurance regardless of the cost?” Then…
Fragmented Medical Care II: The Models
Yesterday I wrote about the problems with fragmented medical care in America. Is a single payer system the only solution? A Commonwealth Fund report shows that the single payer system is not the only path towards improved, more integrated care. What we want The report outlines six general improvements that need to be made to…
How does having health insurance affect the probability children recieve needed care
A recent Robert Wood Johnson Report (see also press release) finds that uninsured children receive less needed medical care than individuals with health insurance. The report finds that 91% of children who are insured have had a physician visit in the last year compared to only 69% of uninsured children. Seventy seven percent of children…
Health Economist + Emergency Room = Death Threats
NPR’s Morning Edition reports on what happened when health economist Philip Musgrove brought a dying man to an emergency room. The receptionist with whom Dr. Musgrove interacted would not treat a the man until his health insurance information was collected.
Olympic Post IV: Pauly on Health Insurance in India and China
In the July/August 2008 edition of Health Affairs, health economist Mark Pauly discuss his opinions with respect to the evolution of health insurance in India and China. He notes that in both countries, rising incomes has lead to increased demand for medical care, especially in urban areas. Despite the increased demand for medical care, there…
The uninsured don’t want health insurance?
Economists often state that uninsured individuals do not “want” health insurance. Joe Paduda claims that this is not the case; most uninsured do want health insurance. Mr. Paduda cites a Washington Post, Kaiser Family Foundation and Harvard University survey which shows that “when asked why they don’t participate in their employer’s program, 1% of survey…