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The codes are used to make the reimbursement system complicated enough that it can be gamed. That's the general purpose of impenetrable bureaucracy.
by oldmanjay 10y ago
The codes are used to make the reimbursement system complicated enough that it can be gamed. That's the general purpose of impenetrable bureaucracy.
- gbog 10y agoActually it's worth reminding that it's the opposite that is true. Bureaucracy, paperwork, are the only known ways to reduce gaming and enforce equal access to justice. O boy I hate paperwork, but it's there for a reason, a good reason.
- nostrebored 10y agoThat is the initial purpose. Unfortunately bureaucrats tend to value other bureaucrats highly. It's a self perpetuating bureaucracy machine.
- ctchocula 10y ago"The bureaucracy is expanding to meet the needs of the expanding bureaucracy."
- waffle_ss 10y agoMaybe that's the intention, but like code, the more complex you make e.g. tax laws, the greater chance there are loopholes (bugs). And there certainly are loopholes, if corporations' low/zero tax rates are any evidence. It's not really equality when you raise the barriers to entry by giving larger companies an advantage when they can hire people who know how to game the rules, or who can hire lobbyists to write the rules in their favor, or get their own people into said bureaucracy (regulatory capture) and the little guys just don't have the money for any of that. You prevent people from entering the market, resulting in reduced competition.
- bigboris 10y agoI've been a HN lurker for a long, long time. Just wanted to say I created an account specifically to upvote this. Thank you.
- Klover 10y agoIt's okay and there is no need to be shy about making comments or voting for things. Now that finally, after all this time of being a bystander, your parent convinced you to take this step, please tell us about your story. I just mean to say that person you thanked seemed quite emotional. And you made an account, and thanked them. But I cannot really see what's so special about money turning into more money. That's why you went to primary school. A few dollars made you able to read and write, and now you're using it to save dollars or make more dollars. So please: expand on the emotion now you've taken the plunge.
- oldmanjay 10y agoTransparency is the only known way to enforce equal access to government services. Bureaucracy is used to thwart that, via complication that can only be unraveled by (often very highly paid) specialists. I'm not even sure how you can state that paperwork enforces equal access to justice. It certainly isn't working in the United States, unless you know of magical paperwork that will stop cops from choking black people to death.