Let's hope that a public option with a substantial enrollment will use it's power

[RB TexLa]

Let facilities know that MRI testing that costs $2500 will be paid at $200 by the public plan. If they don't want to accept than they can't treat public option enrollees for anything same thing with doctors. Insurance pays around $250 for an annual physical, let doctors know they are going to be paid $45 if they don't want it, other doctors will accept it to get to the enrollees.

Once the government plan does this and holds the line at 80 to 75% cuts the private insurance companies will follow. But they can't do like medicare and cave in every time doctors whine about cuts.

[patrice]

1. I don't see that working unless the doctors also have new opportunities to get paid for other

services, services that aren't covered in the status-quo and that also contribute significantly to prevention and overall better longitudinal health management. Services that will bring them more people to care for. Services that WILL attract people to enrollment in the PO. Services that InsCo can't compete with without cutting stuff that will piss their customers off.

[patrice]

2. I am wondering! about saying to doctors/facilities, "you must work harder for less money."

That's only going to work with doctors/facilities who aren't working hard enough now and aren't collecting enough of that $2500. to make the work that they are doing profitable enough.

[RB TexLa]

3. When that's the only payment offered, I'll bet they will be willing to work harder for less.

[patrice]

4. The margins you suggest seem so drastic as to make it impossible to get to offering it.

I work my ass off for what I make, but I don't think you can assume that doctors, most of all, will stand by and allow others to so drastically affect their own autonomy and self-worth. They won't take these patients at these margins, unless there's a deal sweetener.

[RB TexLa]

5. Are you honestly saying that we should consider doctor's self worth when setting

payouts for procedures? A government plan with lot's of people on it will have the power to drive costs to the bone. And you are saying if doctors have to get roommates and sell possessions because of the savings we should not do it? I guess we should allow the doctors to set the payouts so they can make sure their self worth isn't damaged.

Remember the only time a doctor really is sincere in saying "I want to help you," is when you tell her or him that you are having trouble getting your checkbook out to pay them.

[slipslidingaway]

7. That is offensive and you are painting every medical provider with a broad brush. nt

[patrice]

8. Ha, ha, I figured that was in you somewhere.

I'm about as Liberal as it gets and I know lots of people, personally, who are working on this issue and not one of them is operating from your perspective.

Why should the HC providers bear most of the burden of obtaining cost efficencies?

and . . .

Why would one adopt a position that is sooooooooo completely un-acceptable to anyone but a very small and perhaps prejudiced (against doctors) minority?

.............

edited for subject verb agreement

[patrice]

9. In other words: Doctors who aren't very good or don't care!

[slipslidingaway]

6. Let's target insurance company profits first, also are you wiling to pick up...

the tab for education and purchase of equipment.