Many people think that a single payer system would improve the cost and quality of medical care in America. I disagree. This topic was recently covered very well in a new book by Michael Porter and Elizabeth Teisberg, called Redefining Health Care, published by the Harvard University Press. (By the way, here is a review I recently wrote about the book. You have to register to read the review, but there is no fee to register.)
I think they make a persuasive argument that a government-controlled single payer system would inevitably face budgetary pressures and would shift costs to providers, suppliers, and patients, and would ultimately lead to rationing of services and a slowing down of innovation.I'm not saying the current US system is ideal, but at least it offers the possibility of competition among insurance companies and gives my hospital a chance to negotiate better reimbursement rates in return for offering higher quality and better value to consumers than my competitors provide.
What do you think?
