Brad DeLong's Semi-Daily Journal (2004)

Our health care system, or lack of one, is like unto an ever more complicated, and more expensive, set of Ptolmaic epicycles awaiting its Copernicus. Nowhere is the emperor more devoid of clothes than when he claims that 20-25% administrative expense is a cost-effective price to pay for not acknowledging that health care is a human right whose financial risk is best spread over the entire population by an agent of its freely chosen government.

For the low-down on how our latest health entitlement, which America's financial situation needed like an Olympic swimmer needs an anvil, see here:

http://www.nationalreview.com/murdock/murdock200402240953.asp

Politics, down and dirty. And these are mostly Republicans, too. Confirms my suspicions that our current political system selects for moral rot, and if not, then Washington eventually corrupts them.

For those still starry-eyed about the government running our health care system, multiply this kind of activity by fifty.

Anyone who doesn't believe that a nationalized health care system won't wind up as a massive circle jerk between the government and large medical/pharmaceutical corporations and medical organizations, well, I've got a bridge to sell you. I suspect some "private" companies with an eye on favored positions in the government health monopoly are as eager as the socialists to get the single-payer show on the road.

If you think the government military-industrial complex is something, wait until you see the government medical-industrial complex.

Cutler is right. As a physician, I object to tbroscz’s comments. I’ve seen the English and US healthcare systems from the inside. The US system is much worse, and gets worse every year. Patients with ordinary diseases don’t go to ERs for care in England, as happens here. Healthcare is expensive: drugs are rising in cost(although at least half their cost is due to marketing, which often involves deceit), and hospital stays are ever more expensive. Civilized European countries provide basic healthcare for all plus insurance for the wealthy who don’t want to wait in line. Transplants are available but politicians and people like Mickey Mantle don’t jump the queue. Countries like China have healthcare systems requiring bribes to the doctors and nurses.

We must share to survive. I must contribute to the healthcare of minorities or ethnic groups that I may not like. Neglecting rights issues, a sustainable culture provides good education and basic healthcare to all citizens- it is wrong for an employed person working for a fast food chain to have no healthcare. That is contrary to the teachings of Jesus or Mohammed. Increasing numbers of US businesses provide no healthcare. As the cost of health insurance continues to climb, fewer and fewer businesses will provide it. Only a single payer system will work. It won’t be perfect but it will be honest. Our current system is built on lies. As it strives to be more “efficient” by cutting reimbursement to hospitals and providers, it sinks more deeply into the same slime that provoked Martin Luther’s 95 theses. I saw more honesty and pride in doing a good job in the NHS than our corrupt system.

Cutler is right. As a physician, I object to tbroscz’s comments. I’ve seen the English and US healthcare systems from the inside. The US system is much worse, and gets worse every year. Patients with ordinary diseases don’t go to ERs for care in England, as happens here. Healthcare is expensive: drugs are rising in cost(although at least half their cost is due to marketing, which often involves deceit), and hospital stays are ever more expensive. Civilized European countries provide basic healthcare for all plus insurance for the wealthy who don’t want to wait in line. Transplants are available but politicians and people like Mickey Mantle don’t jump the queue. Countries like China have healthcare systems requiring bribes to the doctors and nurses.

We must share to survive. I must contribute to the healthcare of minorities or ethnic groups that I may not like. Neglecting rights issues, a sustainable culture provides good education and basic healthcare to all citizens- it is wrong for an employed person working for a fast food chain to have no healthcare. That is contrary to the teachings of Jesus or Mohammed. Increasing numbers of US businesses provide no healthcare. As the cost of health insurance continues to climb, fewer and fewer businesses will provide it. Only a single payer system will work. It won’t be perfect but it will be honest. Our current system is built on lies. As it strives to be more “efficient” by cutting reimbursement to hospitals and providers, it sinks more deeply into the same slime that provoked Martin Luther’s 95 theses. I saw more honesty and pride in doing a good job in the NHS than our corrupt system.

Qui vir odiosus! - What a bore!

Quam bene vivas refert, non quam diu - The important thing isn't how long you live, but how well you live. (Seneca)

Semper Primus - Always first (US Army Pathfinder motto)

Qui omnes insidias timet in nullas incidit - He who fears every ambush falls into none. (Pubilius Syrus)