2 ms·
One of the few good things our current US president did was get a bill passed that requires hospitals to disclose their pricing. This is unambiguously a good t
by Karunamon 6y ago
One of the few good things our current US president did was get a bill passed that requires hospitals to disclose their pricing.
This is unambiguously a good thing, but it doesn't help as much as you think it would. The result is extremely complicated, but so is the entire list of services that any hospital would provide (imagine every single ICD procedure code with a dollar amount next to it - that's the level of complexity we're discussing).
- Loughla 6y agoI would argue that it doesn't really help at all for most people, and is legitimately just a feel-good political sell for soundbites. Sure, I can shop around for my surgery, but what about emergencies? What about when they're in for the surgery I have scheduled, and end up doing something entirely different because they found something else? What about people who live where there is only one healthcare provider? A menu of prices is fine to encourage choice at Hardee's versus McDonald's, but health care is a little different, I think.
- 542354234235 6y agoAlso, the idea that “market forces” can work in a situation where A. I cannot be an informed consumer and B. I cannot vote with my dollars. I cannot be an informed consumer because I am not a doctor. If a doctor determines I need X medication to live, then that’s what I need. I can’t google search my way to a medical degree. I cant vote with my dollars because I don’t want to die. If my medication costs $5 month, I’ll pay that. If it costs $500 I’ll find a way to pay for it. My life has infinite value so there is no bargain I am willing to strike where I end up dead.