moxa1.....here is a glaring, perfect example of why the government (or, any other company or agency) should never, never, ever be remotely considered for the task of the single health care payer....
I don't have a scanner or else I'd scan the document so there would be no question as to the veracity of my statement....
anyway....I offer this to you in good faith....
I visited my doctor....
I have Medicare and a supplement thru AARP....
yesterday, I received an "explanation of benefits" from AARP/United Health Care....
my physician charged $272.83
Medicare approved $92.99
BUT, BUT, BUT.....
Medicare actually paid: $26.95
and....
the AARP supplement paid" $18.60
in total....for a $272.83 visit, my doctor was paid $45.55 for the hour she spent with me.....
and, you believe it's the greed of insurance companies behind the rate increases....
well......my friend's private insurance was just charged $11,000 for his use of the hospital room for a 5 hour out-patient procedure.....
why...???
because Medicare short pays....
what do you think they will do to the system and your life over the long term if they became the sole payer of your medical costs....???
IMO...disaster....
