“Rather than embracing a single-payer system, the United States is more likely to stumble, in fits and starts, toward something resembling officially sanctioned tiering of the American health care experience by income class…” Uwe Reinhardt
“Imagine going to a physician’s office and finding two waiting rooms. Since you are wealthy (even after taxes) and have “real” insurance, you are directed to the waiting room on the right. Comfortable lounge chairs, coffee bar and large full screen movie playing in the far end while computer stations on the other end for your personal use while waiting for the doctor. But alas, you won’t have much time to surf the net since waiting times in the room on the right averages 10 minutes or less.
Those other, less fortunate and lower income patients with government insurance are directed to the waiting room on the left. Wooden church pews are loaded with sad eyed mothers with squalling children. It’s cheaper to take the children to the doctor than hiring a babysitter, so the whole family is there to provide moral support to little Johnny and his runny nose. They know the drill…….out comes their sack lunches since the waiting times can be two, three or four hours before they get to see Sarah, their favorite nurse practicioner…..” William Rusteberg
Continue reading The Economics Of Being Kinder And Gentler In Health Care