Medicare Blog

how medicare was saved from rationing—and why it’s now in danger

by Imelda Hyatt Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago

How Has Capitalism Encouraged Health Care Rationing in the U.S.?

As healthcare costs in the U.S. increased, the cost of providing health insurance to employees and their families became increasingly burdensome to U.S. businesses. Even the federal government felt the pinch of increasing healthcare costs as it saw Medicare spending increase.

What did Sarah Palin say about the Affordable Care Act?

Sarah Palin tapped into that sentiment when she claimed in 2009 that the Affordable Care Act would create “death panels” that would decide who would get care and who would be left to die without care. 7. It would be nice if the world had unlimited resources and everyone could have everything they want.

Why is cost sharing important?

Cost-sharing. Increasing deductibles, coinsurance rates, and copayment requirements all make it harder for healthcare consumers to access care because the consumer must first come up with money. Cost-sharing requirements are in addition to the monthly premium consumers pay to buy health insurance.

What is restrictive provider network?

Restrictive provider networks requiring you to use only in-network providers for your health care if you want your health insurance company to pay for your care. This is common in HMOs and EPOs. The waiting list for an organ transplant. Health insurance companies aren’t the source of all healthcare rationing in the United States.

What is the idea of managing the care that was provided?

The idea was that, by managing the care that was provided, the insurer would also be managing the cost of care. If the insurer could keep the cost of providing health care down, it could sell its health insurance product for a lower price than the competition. Insurers that managed to offer quality health insurance coverage at reasonable premium rates prospered.

Why do doctors and nurses provide health care?

Doctors and nurses provide health care as a way to earn money, to support their families, to pay their bills. Pharmaceutical companies make drugs that they can sell at a profit. If a company doesn’t make a profit, it will go out of business and won’t be there to make any drugs next year.

What happens if you don't have a drug on your health plan?

If your physician prescribes a drug that’s not on your health plan’s drug formulary, your health plan won’t pay for it, although there is an appeals process and you and your physician can use if no other medication will work. 3

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