Fear of Lawsuits Is Not Why We Spend So Much On Health Care

[woo me with science]

7. BWAH HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!

I hope you're not offended, but that despairing laughter was genuine, not just pixels. Thank you for giving me a STELLAR rationalization of predatory corporatism to end my day with.

Even though they are "money-grubbing shysters," dammit, we should be grateful because they protect us from money grubbing DOCTORS!!!!1!

I love it. A Third Way-style "Lesser of Two Evils" argument even for health insurance vultures!

Yeah, best to be grateful for the THIRD WAY, because the Lord and Humana both know that no other country has figured out how to provide care to their citizens without mandating double-digit corporate profit-skimming that drives millions into desperation or even bankruptcy.

You'll have to excuse my particular vehemence here today. I just got shown a notice from another ACA health insurance plan, which started in May of last year. They are jacking up the rates of the victim,....er, client...by 20 percent starting in January - the maximum allowed under the comically, ironically, even mockingly named "Affordable" Care Act.

Actually, it's 19.67 percent, to be exact. I did the math. And they didn't even give this poor sap an entire year at the old rate before jacking it up. For the record, this rate hike will almost certainly force the victim to switch to a lower-tier plan with higher deductibles.

And what an amazing coincidence, that the rate hike determined to be justified (Remember, the ACA doesn't even require the company vultures to justify a hike until it goes over *ten* percent. When was the last time your salary increased by even half that much?) .....the rate hike determined to be justified just *happens* to round up to the ACA-enshrined maximum!

But, hell.....We're still better than North Korea, right?! It could be worse!

http://www.nerdwallet.com/blog/health/2014/03/26/medical-bankruptcy/

56M Americans under age 65 will have trouble paying medical bills.

Over 35 MILLION American adults (ages 19-64) will be contacted by collections agencies for unpaid medical bills.

Nearly 17 MILLION American adults (ages 19-64) will receive a lower credit rating on account of their high medical bills.

Over 15 MILLION American adults (ages 19-64) will use up all their savings to pay medical bills.

Over 11 MILLION American adults (ages 19-64) will take on credit card debt to pay off their hospital bills.

Nearly 10 MILLION American adults (ages 19-64) will be unable to pay for basic necessities like rent, food, and heat due to their medical bills.

Over 16 MILLION children live in households struggling with medical bills.

Despite having year-round insurance coverage, 10 MILLION insured Americans ages 19-64 will face bills they are unable to pay.

1.7 MILLION Americans live in households that will declare bankruptcy due to their inability to pay their medical bills.

Three states will account for over one-quarter of those living in medical-related bankruptcy: California (248,002), Illinois (113,524), and Florida (99,780).

To save costs, over 25 MILLION adults (ages 19-64) will not take their prescription drugs as indicated, including skipping doses, taking less medicine than prescribed or delaying a refill.