HEALTH CARE; OTHER FINANCIAL INTERESTS

In my previous posting I discussed the position that I believe physicians and their organizations will take regarding the question of reimbursement under health care reformation.

There are other groups that are lobbying Congress in favor of certain changes in the way they are paid. Among them are the hospitals and other clinics who see the possibility of surviving in a new world, where they can count on an income sufficient to meet all expenses and create a profit. No longer will they have to have multiple levels for reimbursement, often with the individual without insurance having it to pay an excessively high fee. No longer will hospitals have to offer treatment without hope of reimbursement. No longer, if they can craft the bill properly, will they have to accept payment from a program such as Medicaid that does not cover the basic expenses.

This is also applicable to those that provide home health services, emergency rescue services, physical therapy, hospice programs etc..

The pharmacy industry is also taking an active role in lobbying to attempt to set payment for medications in order that they can make a profit while discouraging the mandatory substitution of generic medications. Advancements in care is the result of research, trial, overcoming failures and dead ends. The generic manufacture does not have to absorb these costs, in fact many of the generics are produced with low cost labor over seas in countries like China .

Finally, the insurance industry sees a golden opportunity to profit if they can be the beneficiaries of government-sponsored plans. This industry has made a profit by operating subsidized Medicare programs under contract even in competition with the federally sponsored program. They were given that opportunity because even with a subsidy ,they were more cost efficient then the feds themselves. If the industry can either block a government-sponsored plan for those that have not or can not receive insurance or becomes contractual operators to run the new plan,. it will extremely benefit financially .

Since some of the Democrats are listening to these groups their influence will be vital upon the final bill as it is presented to the President for signature. There are probably many compromises before there is a mutual agreement between both houses Congress.

I realize that this presentation of the problems related to reimbursement is sketchy. Before any health care bill may become law this issue will be one of one of the most difficult to be solved. The possibilities are great that the final draft will not be consistent with President Obama's desires. Moreover I prognosticate that there will still be a segment of the population that will still not be covered.