Health Care Systems: Four Basic Models

I have no doubt that the “health care reform” debate currently winding down in Congress has been intentionally muddled by both parties, the corporate media, and the insurance industry lobby’s deep pockets.

What we will end up with is some minor “insurance reform” and the major problems in health care will remain unaddressed, while insurance profits will continue to soar. It’s time to really look at what is possible and to stop bouncing off of labels and being prey to hot buttons.

Lobbyists don't want you to know that organized systems can work:  

see   Health Care Systems: Four Basic Models

White House Reform Chief Was On Boards of Health Companies With Suspect Practices

July 6, 2009   dProgram.net

Before taking her job as the White House health reform director, Nancy-Ann DeParle earned more than $6 million serving on the boards of major health care corporations, some of which were accused of fraud, mismanagement and regulatory violations during her tenure, the Investigative Reporting Workshop at American University reports on MSNBC.com. Some critics say the corporate relationships could be a conflict of interest for DeParle. Also, while there’s no evidence DeParle was involved in or aware of allegedly fraudulent activities, in three cases, she served on board committees overseeing the companies’ legal and regulatory compliance.

Nothing Intimidates Health Insurers Like the Public Health Insurance Plan

By Monica Sanchez  June 19, 2009   ourfuture.org

Most people don’t trust health insurance companies and with good reason. They are a powerful industry that is not easily prodded, pushed or intimidated into doing the right thing by their members.

Insurance companies routinely abuse the trust of patients and providers alike. A new report by Health Care for America Now outlines the habitual abuses perpetrated be health insurance companies, including leaving patients with high out-of-pocket costs, denying coverage for medically necessary care, preventing doctors from delivering care they feel is best for their patients, and unduly delaying reimbursement to patients and providers.

Robert Parry on what's at stake in Health Care Reform

As many as 119 million Americans would shift from private coverage to the government plan,” one of the industry’s chief protectors, Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, wrote in a column for Politico.com.

Though some analysts question the 119 million estimate, it has transformed the debate over health-care reform into something of a death match for the private insurance industry, especially because it’s a good bet that many of the 50 million uninsured also would opt for a public plan, since they’ve been heartlessly left out in the cold by the private industry.