[Silver]

Ok, one last go at this, and then I'll drop it.

If you're in favor of "free market" medicine, explain to me exactly how it is supposed to work like a proper market does, because I just don't get it.

These are a few of the issues I need addressed:

1. Demand for medical care is very inelastic (There are not numerous substitutes for medical care. It's not like picking a soft drink, right?)

2. Inability to shop around (First off, sometimes there is an urgency factor. Then there is the problem of getting a quote. It works allright for cosmetic surgery, not so good for other stuff.)

3. Artificial caps on supply (The fact that doctors need to be accredited...a market system should be able to sort out effective doctors from bad ones. Anyone with a few years training should be able to hang out a shingle as an MD and sink or swim.)

4. Drug companies using advertising and incentives to distort the market.

Help me understand, because I still can't figure out how this market works according to free market principles...

 

[Toshi]

wrt number 3 i think you're way off base. there's already a separate, unaccredited world out there, and it's called alternative medicine. naturopathy, homeopathy, chiropractic, acupuncture, eastern and indian medicine, herbalists, etc. to do what allopathic ("normal") doctors takes much training, and they work with compounds and techniques that you do not want to mess with, misprescribe or otherwise fool around with.

i'm all for letting the homeopaths treat believers with solutions made up of 2^(-30) dilutions of lemon juice or whatever, but opening up allopathic medicine would cause people to DIE.

 

[LordOpie]

1. But there are lots of facilities and they do provide differing levels of service at different prices, so it is kinda like soda.

2. so you're suggesting it's a form of monopoly? i'll buy that. Oh wait, I can't afford to.

3. is just fvcking insane? Are you high? Besides, lots of industries/professions require certifications... whether those certs are valid or not is another topic.

4. what industry doesn't? Hell, religion and politics sell fear like there's no tomorrow.

And I'm all for socialized medicine. Those who can afford will receive better care from private doctors offering their clients what they currently offer 'em.

 

[valve bouncer]

And I'm all for socialized medicine. Those who can afford will receive better care from private doctors offering their clients what they currently offer 'em.

Agree, as long as there is a decent safety net for people at the bottom a mix works well.

 

[LordOpie]

Agree, as long as there is a decent safety net for people at the bottom a mix works well.

I'm not at the bottom, but I somehow doubt my healthcare quality would decrease by going socialized. Granted, I mostly see the doctor for injuries, so it's not like I'm very concerned about it. However, I do have a friend with Crone's diseased and I swear the stress and aggrivation he goes thru for each procedure -- in the current system/structure -- makes him more ill than his illness I'm not sure where I was going with this post

 

[Silver]

Regarding point 3:

I don't agree with it. I personally like having safety regulations (drug trials and accredited doctors and medical schools are a good thing...personally, I don't want an ER doc who got his training at Bob Jones University and doesn't understand biology.)

BUT, that's what you would need to make a market system actually work, instead of the cock up we have now.

 

[Skookum]

Good thing i have insurance i would be totally broke right now. The medical cost of me breaking my leg has skied well over 10 grand now, and that's not even factoring in my time off work(almost will be 3 months). My insurance is paying a majority of the bill, i gotta thank my Union for allowing me to still have a future right now, non union shops usually don't have medical plans.
off topic but not really.....

 

[Silver]

Good thing i have insurance i would be totally broke right now. The medical cost of me breaking my leg has skied well over 10 grand now, and that's not even factoring in my time off work(almost will be 3 months). My insurance is paying a majority of the bill, i gotta thank my Union for allowing me to still have a future right now, non union shops usually don't have medical plans.
off topic but not really.....

Ah, but if you were broke, you'd be more hungry for work and more willing to die for a dollar. The fact that you can ride a mountain bike and not lose all your possessions and housing when you have an injury is proof that our current system is morally bankrupt!

Maybe the market does work?

 

[Skookum]

The fact that you can ride a mountain bike and not lose all your possessions and housing when you have an injury is proof that our current system is morally bankrupt!

Well actually the reason why i'm not bankrupt is because i've saved money for such a contigency, but if i don't have a good year, you won't be seeing me surfing RM, and i may have to start selling things off and making drastic life changes. I just don't complain or air my personal business much, except here i guess....