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One argument I have heard is that the cost of health care would be less expensive if the risk was spread across the entire population. In the past the government has gotten industries such as airlines, and what are now public utilities, by creating regulation in the industry. Would it be an option to explore putting rules in place, such as all individuals must be offered the same price for the product they are purchasing without discrimination to their health or preexisting conditions?  

In addition, the patient is charged less (sometimes 50%) if they have health insurance because there is a contracted rate and the hospital ‘writes off’ the overage. Therefore and insured person can have very large medical bills quickly in an emergency. With suck a large  bill bankruptcy is often the best option, which increases the cost for those who can pay. If that bill was regulated to be 50% like the insured person, it might be an option to avoid bankruptcy, which would keep the costs spread to all who seek medical attention.

Shelby Tigard

posted 3 years, 8 months ago
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