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In reply to the discussion: Which Countries Have Single-Payer Health Systems? [View all]kristopher
(29,798 posts)40. I let him speak for himself - in context.
'It's the Prices, Stupid': An Interview with Health Policy Expert Gerard Anderson
By Gerard Anderson, Elizabeth Palmberg
Sojourners, June 2011
Sojourners: What are some of the most important causes for why the U.S. is paying a lot more than other wealthy countries for health care without getting improved results?
Anderson: A higher health-care cost is pretty much because of what I call, Its prices, stupid. We just pay approximately twice as much for each good and service that we utilize in the U.S. vis-a-vis other industrial countries. In fact, for a hospital visit its about three times more than other industrialized countries for a similar visit in a shorter period of time that youre in the hospital, we still spend about three times more. So it seems to be that we just pay more for identical services compared to other industrialized countries.
Sojourners: Why?
Anderson: Because, in most other countries they have a single purchaser, which is a very tough negotiator, whereas in the United States we have so many different purchasers that nobody has a lot of power.
Sojourners: If you didnt have to think about political realities at all, what health-care policies would you suggest the U.S. adopt?
Anderson: Basically, that everybody has the same health care and access to the same health care.
Sojourners: Through a single-payer system?
Anderson: Well, thats the payment side. And then access to the same delivery system as well.
Sojourners: So, both single-payer and a standardized quality of care?
Anderson: Correct.
By Gerard Anderson, Elizabeth Palmberg
Sojourners, June 2011
Sojourners: What are some of the most important causes for why the U.S. is paying a lot more than other wealthy countries for health care without getting improved results?
Anderson: A higher health-care cost is pretty much because of what I call, Its prices, stupid. We just pay approximately twice as much for each good and service that we utilize in the U.S. vis-a-vis other industrial countries. In fact, for a hospital visit its about three times more than other industrialized countries for a similar visit in a shorter period of time that youre in the hospital, we still spend about three times more. So it seems to be that we just pay more for identical services compared to other industrialized countries.
Sojourners: Why?
Anderson: Because, in most other countries they have a single purchaser, which is a very tough negotiator, whereas in the United States we have so many different purchasers that nobody has a lot of power.
Sojourners: If you didnt have to think about political realities at all, what health-care policies would you suggest the U.S. adopt?
Anderson: Basically, that everybody has the same health care and access to the same health care.
Sojourners: Through a single-payer system?
Anderson: Well, thats the payment side. And then access to the same delivery system as well.
Sojourners: So, both single-payer and a standardized quality of care?
Anderson: Correct.
https://sojo.net/magazine/june-2011/its-prices-stupid-interview-health-policy-expert-gerard-anderson
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And I would like every house in the country to be fitted with Solar Panels or wind turbines.
ehrnst
Oct 2016
#13
"Because, in most other countries they have a single purchaser, which is a very tough negotiator"
kristopher
Oct 2016
#48
"Because, in most other countries they have a single purchaser, which is a very tough negotiator"
kristopher
Oct 2016
#57
That's from five years ago. The OP article discusses "Medicare for All" proposals in this election
ehrnst
Oct 2016
#31
The point of your article is the same as it always is, to misrepresent the idea and role of SP.
kristopher
Oct 2016
#33
The posters you are arguing with are arguing for exactly what Anderson endorses.
kristopher
Oct 2016
#46
"Because, in most other countries they have a single purchaser, which is a very tough negotiator"
kristopher
Oct 2016
#56
There is not a shred of evicence that our private insurance system contributes one iota
BlueStreak
Oct 2016
#25
You have to be aware of terms: single payer is not necessarily universal health coverage
mnhtnbb
Oct 2016
#4
Not everybody here "knows" And are you accusing me of lying or the NPR reporter?(nt)
ehrnst
Oct 2016
#7
You can make up your own definition for any word. But that doesn't change the reality of it.
ehrnst
Oct 2016
#12
"Because, in most other countries they have a single purchaser, which is a very tough negotiator"
kristopher
Oct 2016
#49
I guess that means you're done copying and pasting the same thing that doesn't address my post?
ehrnst
Oct 2016
#52
we need accessible, nonprofit, universal health care at little or no direct cost to patients....
mike_c
Oct 2016
#14
Tempting to simply declare that there is one simple answer to a complicated issue
ehrnst
Oct 2016
#63
Actually no. According to the OP Canada is the only country with true Single Payer
ehrnst
Oct 2016
#50
Words mean things. Specific things. If you want to discuss them, you should know what they mean.
ehrnst
Oct 2016
#60