dpb wrote:

I'm not sure I've seen much in any really new ideas, unfortunately,
particularly those that would actually help across the full spectrum of
both abilities to pay and access to services.

The one thing I'm pretty sure of is that the inclusion of large segments
of currently under- or uninsured without a commensurate inclusion into
the payment pool by some means is going to be another federal welfare
program that will not be able to be funded w/o massive deficits or taxes
of one form or another.


snip

Here's a few changes I'd like to see:

1. The federal government will set a maximum hourly billing rate for
doctors based on their classification (GP, FP, neurosurgeon, etc.). The
patient can be billed only for the actual time spent with the physician
in 15 minute increments.

2. If you have scheduled a doctors appointment and are kept waiting past
your appointed time the doctor pays you for your wasted time at his
billing rate in 15 minute increments.

3. If you see a doctor and all he does is refer you to a specialist the
referring doctor get a $15 administrative fee only.

4. The patient pays only for those medications that prove to be effective.

5.A doctor is allowed to have all the tests performed that he deems
necessary. The patient pays for the test that finds the problem. The
doctor pays for the rest of the tests.

6. All hospital charges, anesthesiologist fees, nursing staff, in
hospital supplies and medications, etc. will be considered part of the
doctor's overhead and will be paid for by the attending physician. This
should get rid of the $15 aspirins, $20 Band-Aids, etc.

7. A doctor receives no payment until all work is complete to the
patient's satisfaction.

8. A money back guarantee will be issued with all procedures performed.

I'm sure the group can think of others...

--
Jack Novak
Buffalo, NY - USA