While House Speaker Paul Ryan is a believer in free-market medicine, a New York emergency medicine physician writes that "in a totally free market health care system, you must be willing to let some patients die."
House Speaker Ryan said that with health care, "You get it if you want it. That's freedom." But according to Dr. Farzon A. Nahvi in The New York Times (“Don’t Leave Health Care to a Free Market”), being given medical services that one does not consent to and getting saddled with a bill of thousands of dollars "is nothing like freedom."
Nahvi gives examples of several patients who were found unconscious by passers-by who contacted 911. These patients were then transported to New York emergency rooms and treated, then saddled with huge medical bills. He likens this to having Verizon adding extra services to your bill and charging you thousands of dollars for the bill.
In the end, Dr. Nahvi writes, "Deep down inside, we all intuitively know that health care is not a free market, or else society would not allow me to routinely care for people when they are in no position to make decisions for themselves," concluding that if we believe in truly free-market health care, we would acknowledge that we might have to let the next unconscious person we find in the street remain there, rather than getting that person medical help.
Click here to read the op-ed piece in its entirety.
Showing posts with label health care. Show all posts
Showing posts with label health care. Show all posts
Thursday, July 13, 2017
Thursday, May 21, 2015
Gov. Scott's Commission on Healthcare and Hospital Funding
Should Floridians be concerned over Gov. Rick Scott's Commission on Healthcare and Florida Funding? According to an editorial in the Ocala StarBanner, ("Editorial: Critical Condition"), there are plenty of reasons for Floridians to be concerned.
According to the editorial, Gov. Scott proposed the commission after "the Florida House of Representatives abruptly and unconstitutionally adjourned the 2015 legislative session." This adjournment came after representatives and state senators refused to resolve disputes over health care - especially Medicaid expansion.
Remember the idea of Medicaid expansion, part of President Barack Obama's Affordable Care Act? This expansion would have given health insurance to approximately 800,000 Floridians.
To read the editorial in its entirety, go to http://www.ocala.com/article/20150521/OPINION01/150529964.
According to the editorial, Gov. Scott proposed the commission after "the Florida House of Representatives abruptly and unconstitutionally adjourned the 2015 legislative session." This adjournment came after representatives and state senators refused to resolve disputes over health care - especially Medicaid expansion.
Remember the idea of Medicaid expansion, part of President Barack Obama's Affordable Care Act? This expansion would have given health insurance to approximately 800,000 Floridians.
To read the editorial in its entirety, go to http://www.ocala.com/article/20150521/OPINION01/150529964.
Monday, April 27, 2015
Hufflington Post: Rick Scott, Tally Republicans Throwing Tantrum
A political fight over health care has been unfolding in Florida, unusual in that it pits Republican Governor Rick Scott against some members of his own party, according to The Huffington Post ("Rick Scott Snd Florida Republicans Are Throwing An Anti-Obamacare Tantrum"). It is also revealing, as it "lays bare the motives of the Affordable Care Act's most determined detractors," the article states.
While more than half of the states have expanded Medicaid, Florida has been one of the holdouts. Gov. Scott has changed position on the expansion, depending on the political climate of the moment, the Huffington article states.
To read the article in full, go to http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/04/21/rick-scott-obamacare-lawsuit_n_7111218.html.
While more than half of the states have expanded Medicaid, Florida has been one of the holdouts. Gov. Scott has changed position on the expansion, depending on the political climate of the moment, the Huffington article states.
To read the article in full, go to http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/04/21/rick-scott-obamacare-lawsuit_n_7111218.html.
Monday, April 13, 2015
Editorial: Tell the Legislature's Immoral Minority to expand Medicaid in Florida
This is an important editorial from Friday, April 10, 2019's Tampa Bay Times:
"Most Floridians want it. So do thousands of businesses and the medical community. So do Republicans and Democrats in the Florida Senate. Yet 80 Florida House Republicans are denying 800,000 Floridians access to health care by refusing to accept Medicaid expansion money from Washington. It is immoral, and it is financially irresponsible. Of those 80 House Republicans, 13 represent Tampa Bay districts. Call them. Email them. Ask them why they are blocking health insurance for your families, friends and co-workers.
"RICHARD CORCORAN, Land O'Lakes: (850) 717-5037, richard.corcoran@myfloridahouse.gov — Corcoran is the chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, the expected House speaker for 2016-18 and the chief obstructionist.
"DANA YOUNG, Tampa: (850) 717-5060, dana.young@myfloridahouse.gov — Young is the House majority leader who helps prevent Republicans from voting their conscience on Medicaid expansion.
"BLAISE INGOGLIA, Spring Hill: (850) 717-5035, blaise.ingoglia@myfloridahouse.gov — Ingoglia has an inherent conflict of interest as both the chairman of the Republican Party of Florida and a state legislator serving all of his Hernando County constituents.
"LARRY AHERN, Seminole: (850) 717-5066, larry.ahern@myfloridahouse.gov
"CHRIS LATVALA, Clearwater: (850) 717-5067, chris.latvala@myfloridahouse.gov
"KATHLEEN PETERS, South Pasadena: (850) 717-5069, kathleen.peters@myfloridahouse.gov
"CHRIS SPROWLS, Palm Harbor: (850) 717-5065, chris.sprowls@myfloridahouse.gov
"DANNY BURGESS JR., San Antonio: (850) 717-5038, danny.burgess@myfloridahouse.gov
SHAWN HARRISON, Tampa: (850) 717-5063, shawn.harrison@myfloridahouse.gov
"JAKE RABURN, Lithia: (850) 717-5057, jake.raburn@myfloridahouse.gov
"DAN RAULERSON, Plant City: (850) 717-5058, dan.raulerson@myfloridahouse.gov
"ROSS SPANO, Dover: (850) 717-5059, ross.spano@myfloridahouse.gov
"JIMMIE T. SMITH, Inverness: (850) 717-5034, jimmie.smith@myfloridahouse.gov
"This may be the last, best chance for the Florida Legislature to accept billions in federal Medicaid money and create health coverage for low-income residents. The Senate has crafted a responsible bipartisan plan to use the federal money to subsidize private health insurance, and House Republicans should embrace it and stop being obstructionists.
The economic case for accepting the federal money and expanding access to health care is persuasive. It would bring tens of billions from Washington to Florida. It would save the state more than $1.7 billion over five years by replacing existing health care programs. It would help residents paying higher private insurance premiums to subsidize the cost of charity care.
"The cost of rejecting the Senate plan? Federal tax dollars from Florida help pay for Medicaid expansion in 28 other states. The Low Income Pool that helps cover the cost of treating the uninsured will lose more than $1 billion in federal money. Florida hospitals and taxpayers cannot afford to make that up.
"The moral argument for taking the Medicaid expansion money is also compelling. Low-income Floridians should not be deprived of health insurance because House Republicans can't stand President Barack Obama and distrust Washington. House Appropriations Chairman Richard Corcoran, R-Land O'Lakes, is prepared to go to war with the Senate and block its practical plan. Senate Republicans and Democrats better reflect the sensibilities of most Floridians, and they should not bend to such pinched thinking.
"House Republicans from Tampa Bay should hear the commonsense voices in their communities. Tell them you want all Floridians to have health insurance and access to care. Ask them why they will not bring home federal tax dollars you send to Washington. And remind them to act in the best interests of all of their constituents."
-----
To read this online at the Tampa Bay Times' site, go to http://www.tampabay.com/opinion/editorials/editorial-the-immoral-minority/2224999.
"Most Floridians want it. So do thousands of businesses and the medical community. So do Republicans and Democrats in the Florida Senate. Yet 80 Florida House Republicans are denying 800,000 Floridians access to health care by refusing to accept Medicaid expansion money from Washington. It is immoral, and it is financially irresponsible. Of those 80 House Republicans, 13 represent Tampa Bay districts. Call them. Email them. Ask them why they are blocking health insurance for your families, friends and co-workers.
"RICHARD CORCORAN, Land O'Lakes: (850) 717-5037, richard.corcoran@myfloridahouse.gov — Corcoran is the chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, the expected House speaker for 2016-18 and the chief obstructionist.
"DANA YOUNG, Tampa: (850) 717-5060, dana.young@myfloridahouse.gov — Young is the House majority leader who helps prevent Republicans from voting their conscience on Medicaid expansion.
"BLAISE INGOGLIA, Spring Hill: (850) 717-5035, blaise.ingoglia@myfloridahouse.gov — Ingoglia has an inherent conflict of interest as both the chairman of the Republican Party of Florida and a state legislator serving all of his Hernando County constituents.
"LARRY AHERN, Seminole: (850) 717-5066, larry.ahern@myfloridahouse.gov
"CHRIS LATVALA, Clearwater: (850) 717-5067, chris.latvala@myfloridahouse.gov
"KATHLEEN PETERS, South Pasadena: (850) 717-5069, kathleen.peters@myfloridahouse.gov
"CHRIS SPROWLS, Palm Harbor: (850) 717-5065, chris.sprowls@myfloridahouse.gov
"DANNY BURGESS JR., San Antonio: (850) 717-5038, danny.burgess@myfloridahouse.gov
SHAWN HARRISON, Tampa: (850) 717-5063, shawn.harrison@myfloridahouse.gov
"JAKE RABURN, Lithia: (850) 717-5057, jake.raburn@myfloridahouse.gov
"DAN RAULERSON, Plant City: (850) 717-5058, dan.raulerson@myfloridahouse.gov
"ROSS SPANO, Dover: (850) 717-5059, ross.spano@myfloridahouse.gov
"JIMMIE T. SMITH, Inverness: (850) 717-5034, jimmie.smith@myfloridahouse.gov
"This may be the last, best chance for the Florida Legislature to accept billions in federal Medicaid money and create health coverage for low-income residents. The Senate has crafted a responsible bipartisan plan to use the federal money to subsidize private health insurance, and House Republicans should embrace it and stop being obstructionists.
The economic case for accepting the federal money and expanding access to health care is persuasive. It would bring tens of billions from Washington to Florida. It would save the state more than $1.7 billion over five years by replacing existing health care programs. It would help residents paying higher private insurance premiums to subsidize the cost of charity care.
"The cost of rejecting the Senate plan? Federal tax dollars from Florida help pay for Medicaid expansion in 28 other states. The Low Income Pool that helps cover the cost of treating the uninsured will lose more than $1 billion in federal money. Florida hospitals and taxpayers cannot afford to make that up.
"The moral argument for taking the Medicaid expansion money is also compelling. Low-income Floridians should not be deprived of health insurance because House Republicans can't stand President Barack Obama and distrust Washington. House Appropriations Chairman Richard Corcoran, R-Land O'Lakes, is prepared to go to war with the Senate and block its practical plan. Senate Republicans and Democrats better reflect the sensibilities of most Floridians, and they should not bend to such pinched thinking.
"House Republicans from Tampa Bay should hear the commonsense voices in their communities. Tell them you want all Floridians to have health insurance and access to care. Ask them why they will not bring home federal tax dollars you send to Washington. And remind them to act in the best interests of all of their constituents."
-----
To read this online at the Tampa Bay Times' site, go to http://www.tampabay.com/opinion/editorials/editorial-the-immoral-minority/2224999.
Viewpoint: Fix our health care
From the Pensacola (Fla.) NewsJournal, on April 10, 2015; written by Kim Williams:
Last week, Sen. Greg Evers, R-Baker, and all of the Florida Senate demonstrated true leadership when they passed a budget that included a comprehensive health care package designed to address the state's worsening health care crisis.
Florida has one of the highest rates of uninsured people in the nation leading to billions of dollars in uncompensated care each year that ultimately comes out of the pockets of businesses like mine in Tallahassee. Add to that the June 30 sunset of the $2 billion fund known as the Low Income Pool (LIP), and we have a true crisis on our hands.
But it's a crisis we have seen coming. Our state was notified last April that a new program must be created that provides significant reforms to existing LIP policies. And, for years, the business community has been calling for a solution to address health care coverage in our state. Employers want to keep their employees and their communities healthy. They also desperately need relief from the rising health insurance premiums they see each year due to uncompensated care. Also kicking in this year are financial penalties assessed on businesses unable to provide health care coverage to full-time employees and their dependents.
We need a fix for both the LIP and for the low-income, working Floridians who could receive preventative health care rather than being treated in emergency rooms or hospitals after they get sick.
The Florida Senate, under President Andy Gardiner, has done just that. Their plan includes sound reforms to LIP. It also creates an innovative new concept, called the Florida Health Insurance Affordability Exchange (FHIX) program, which would provide health care coverage to nearly 1 million uninsured, working Floridians.
The FHIX program is not an expansion of Medicaid, but an alternative developed to fit Florida's unique needs. It offers access to coverage through private health insurance plans and requires personal accountability through monthly premiums and job and education requirements.
FHIX is funded through dollars that we Floridians have already sent to Washington, D.C. Those dollars are already being paid through taxes on health insurers, taxes on durable medical equipment and reductions in payments to hospitals to cover the cost of care. It's money taken from Florida taxpayers and businesses, and we want it back.
Although history has shown that the federal government has provided consistent funding for health care programs, the Senate includes taxpayer and budget protections in its health care package. Should the federal government pull back funding, the FHIX program would end.
Our country was built on state governments and the federal government working together. We must work together to resolve this crisis.
-----
Kim Williams is president of Marpan and Marpan Recycling in Tallahassee. He also is a member of the A Healthy Florida Works coalition.
To view this online, go to http://www.pnj.com/story/opinion/2015/04/10/viewpoint-fix-health-care/25570885/.
Last week, Sen. Greg Evers, R-Baker, and all of the Florida Senate demonstrated true leadership when they passed a budget that included a comprehensive health care package designed to address the state's worsening health care crisis.
Florida has one of the highest rates of uninsured people in the nation leading to billions of dollars in uncompensated care each year that ultimately comes out of the pockets of businesses like mine in Tallahassee. Add to that the June 30 sunset of the $2 billion fund known as the Low Income Pool (LIP), and we have a true crisis on our hands.
But it's a crisis we have seen coming. Our state was notified last April that a new program must be created that provides significant reforms to existing LIP policies. And, for years, the business community has been calling for a solution to address health care coverage in our state. Employers want to keep their employees and their communities healthy. They also desperately need relief from the rising health insurance premiums they see each year due to uncompensated care. Also kicking in this year are financial penalties assessed on businesses unable to provide health care coverage to full-time employees and their dependents.
We need a fix for both the LIP and for the low-income, working Floridians who could receive preventative health care rather than being treated in emergency rooms or hospitals after they get sick.
The Florida Senate, under President Andy Gardiner, has done just that. Their plan includes sound reforms to LIP. It also creates an innovative new concept, called the Florida Health Insurance Affordability Exchange (FHIX) program, which would provide health care coverage to nearly 1 million uninsured, working Floridians.
The FHIX program is not an expansion of Medicaid, but an alternative developed to fit Florida's unique needs. It offers access to coverage through private health insurance plans and requires personal accountability through monthly premiums and job and education requirements.
FHIX is funded through dollars that we Floridians have already sent to Washington, D.C. Those dollars are already being paid through taxes on health insurers, taxes on durable medical equipment and reductions in payments to hospitals to cover the cost of care. It's money taken from Florida taxpayers and businesses, and we want it back.
Although history has shown that the federal government has provided consistent funding for health care programs, the Senate includes taxpayer and budget protections in its health care package. Should the federal government pull back funding, the FHIX program would end.
Our country was built on state governments and the federal government working together. We must work together to resolve this crisis.
-----
Kim Williams is president of Marpan and Marpan Recycling in Tallahassee. He also is a member of the A Healthy Florida Works coalition.
To view this online, go to http://www.pnj.com/story/opinion/2015/04/10/viewpoint-fix-health-care/25570885/.
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