The future of US medicine under ObamaCare is already on display in Massachusetts. The top four health insurers there just posted first-quarter losses of more than $150 million. Most of them blamed the state's decision to keep premiums at last year's levels for individual and small-business policies, when they'd proposed double-digit hikes to match the soaring costs they've seen under the state's universal-coverage law.
The companies have gone to court to challenge the state's action -- it apparently had no basis for its ruling beyond the political needs of Gov. Deval Patrick. If they win, Bay State health premiums will continue their rapid rise; if they lose, they'll eventually have to stop doing business in Massachusetts -- and the state will be that much closer to a "single payer" system of socialized medicine.
And even if/when government takes over, does anyone truly believe that prices will be controlled and that health care nirvana will be achieved?
Darren
ReplyDeleteI post for the second time today on your blog the wisdom of a true leader, statesman and real man, Sir Winston Churchill: “The inherent vice of capitalism is the unequal sharing of blessings; the inherent virtue of socialism is the equal sharing of miseries.”
Pity the wretch we have in leadership positions right now can't reach his shoe laces...
What is not being discussed is how this nationalization of the medical system will hinder development of drugs and treatments...something I have a personal interest in.