US Health Care Costs
http://thedianerehmshow.org/shows/2013-02-27/us-health-care-costs
According to journalist Steven Brill, the Affordable Care Act changes some of the rules about who pays for what in health care, but a basic problem remains: the cost. In a lengthy cover story for Time Magazine, he explains why labs, drug companies, hospital administrators and the purveyors of medical equipment make so much money. He also explores why doctors who don’t game the system are getting squeezed and why patients, especially those under 65, are left holding the bag. Join us to talk with Steven Brill about why we pay so much for health care in the U.S. and what we can do about it.
Guests
Steven Brill
journalist and author of "Bitter Pill: How outrageous pricing and egregious profits are destroying our health care," a special report for Time Magazine's March 4, 2013, edition.
Bitter Pill: The Exorbitant Prices Of Health Care
Steven Brill talks to TIME about his cover story on the outrageous pricing and egregious profits that are destroying our health care.
Comments
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Thanks very much for this interview. It may be the most important you've ever done. I listened again on Sunday. There was so much in it that the public needs to know. I have to admit I'm furious that the White House used up an incredible amount of political capital to get "health care reform" passed -- and it didn't address the underlying, systemic problems that are putting quality health care beyond the means of many Americans. Bravo to Steve Brill, Time magazine, and the Diane Rehm Show for getting these facts out. The Medicare for all option is obviously the most sensible way to go, and the idea that it's blocked by the health care-industrial complex is appalling.
My spouse and I were depending on the high risk pool set up to help those with pre-existing conditions--no, our illnesses were NOT diet or smoking related.
But that pool has been closed due to a huge demand AND lack of funding by Congress (read: Republicans)
I will never forgive nor forget this cruelty.
No cancer therapeutic costs a couple hundred dollars to make. Discovering therapeutic biologics is not like writing an article for Time. Brill notes that pharmaceuticals cost more in the US and is perplexed. Did Brill ever look to see where the majority of drug discovery is taking place? In the US. Why is that the case? Is the US subsidizing the rest of the world when it comes to doing the hard work to find new therapeutics?
Brill says buyers have no buying power. However, buyers have a lot of power when it comes to generics. What about PBMs? Their whole business model is about getting savings for their customers; if they don't, they'll get fired.
He then says insurance companies negotiate discounts, so they must have some power.
NPR is non-profit, as are the syndicated programs, but the salaries of the heads of each are extremely high. There are all sorts of charitable organizations CEOs who make tons of money; Planned Parenthood, Red Cross, NOW, ...
As a society we need to decide what we can afford. Too many people think healthcare is an entitlement. That's just not true. United States has the best healthcare because we haven't socialized it. I comes from a developed country with universal healthcare. I got frustrated when my dad became ill back home. He could have received the care he needed but the system was so inefficient that the delay offered no hope in the end. Here my husband and I work hard to afford the healthcare for our family and we are happy for the choices we have. I would never want to get on a government program that gives me long wait time and bad doctors. As for the expensive cancer drug, I would rather the drug companies invest in research, even it is driven by business profit. I might not be able to afford the drug now but one day my children will benefit from it -- that will be very good indeed.