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You shop around for health insurance (which is another annoying nightmare altogether, and most people's only option for that is the provider chosen by their emp

You shop around for health insurance (which is another annoying nightmare altogether, and most people's only option for that is the provider chosen by their employer). If you were in an accident and taken by emergency services to the nearest hospital, you pay whatever they say and you didn't have any control as a "consumer." It's a mistake, and frankly barbaric, to think of healthcare as a "market." It should be a public service to all in the pursuit of a just society.

rukittenme 8y ago
> If you were in an accident and taken by emergency services to the nearest hospital, you pay whatever they say and you didn't have any control as a "consumer." Which accounts for 4% of healthcare spending. Rare, unforeseen events are covered by insurance. That's how home insurance works. That's how car insurance works. That's how health insurance works. > It's a mistake, and frankly barbaric, to think of healthcare as a "market." I don't "think of" healthcare as a market. By definition, it is a market. Whether it functions well enough to any person's satisfaction is a matter of what that person values. > It should be a public service to all in the pursuit of a just society. Is a "just" society your only goal? A healthy society, a wealthy society, a free society. There are many goals which might conflict with a "just" society. How do you balance those objectives with social justice? --- Edit: I forgot to respond to my main point. Namely, that I do pick and choose healthcare based on who provides the best price. I shopped around my dentist. I shopped around for my root canal, I shopped for some eye issue I had, I shopped around for my general practitioner, I ask for alternatives when the doctor wants to prescribe medications. Which is to say. I do not shop around for health insurance (it is provided by my employer). I shop around for health care specifically.

rukittenme 8y ago

> If you were in an accident and taken by emergency services to the nearest hospital, you pay whatever they say and you didn't have any control as a "consumer." Which accounts for 4% of healthcare spending. Rare, unforeseen events are covered by insurance. That's how home insurance works. That's how car insurance works. That's how health insurance works. > It's a mistake, and frankly barbaric, to think of healthcare as a "market." I don't "think of" healthcare as a market. By definition, it is a market. Whether it functions well enough to any person's satisfaction is a matter of what that person values. > It should be a public service to all in the pursuit of a just society. Is a "just" society your only goal? A healthy society, a wealthy society, a free society. There are many goals which might conflict with a "just" society. How do you balance those objectives with social justice? --- Edit: I forgot to respond to my main point. Namely, that I do pick and choose healthcare based on who provides the best price. I shopped around my dentist. I shopped around for my root canal, I shopped for some eye issue I had, I shopped around for my general practitioner, I ask for alternatives when the doctor wants to prescribe medications. Which is to say. I do not shop around for health insurance (it is provided by my employer). I shop around for health care specifically.