08-21-2009, 09:17 PM
Hi,
But, ultimately, that doesn't matter. The whole 'supply and demand' concept fails when the consumer isn't buying the product in the first place. I have no hard data, but I'd guess that most of the insured are covered by a plan offered by an employer. In some cases, an employee may have a choice of plans, in most there is only one. Of the remainder, I'd guess that a large percentage are covered by Medicare or Medicaid. Again, no choice on the part of the consumer. Actual services received are determined, to a large degree, by insurance coverage. And the costs of these services are established by agreements between the insurance companies and the medical providers.
Yes, it is a mess.
--Pete
Quote:Or, in America, there is too much supply.Yes and no. There is a surplus of supply of medical equipment in the larger cities. There is a shortage of doctors, especially in rural areas and in certain higher risk specialties. There is a even greater shortage of trained nurses. Many of the health care practitioners in our hospitals are foreigners who are here on a work visa.
But, ultimately, that doesn't matter. The whole 'supply and demand' concept fails when the consumer isn't buying the product in the first place. I have no hard data, but I'd guess that most of the insured are covered by a plan offered by an employer. In some cases, an employee may have a choice of plans, in most there is only one. Of the remainder, I'd guess that a large percentage are covered by Medicare or Medicaid. Again, no choice on the part of the consumer. Actual services received are determined, to a large degree, by insurance coverage. And the costs of these services are established by agreements between the insurance companies and the medical providers.
Yes, it is a mess.
--Pete
How big was the aquarium in Noah's ark?