Comments on: Magic Does Not, In Fact, Work

By: Frank_D

Frank_D — Thu, 22 Jun 2006 21:06:02 +0000

What makes you think that NFP’s don’t operate under free market principles?
They sustain themselve on contributions, grants, and Medicaid and Medicare, if they are eligible.
They watch every penny they make.
One major mental health provider near me, rather typical, has hardly any full time employees, so, no benefits for them. All leave for them is without pay, including holidays, so, no vacations, either.
I have worked in about six organizations with similar structures.
A real “workers’ paradise.”

By: Nimrod Gently

Nimrod Gently — Thu, 22 Jun 2006 17:06:09 +0000

I constantly thank God that Anuerin Bevan ever got to be in Government at all.

By: stick

stick — Thu, 22 Jun 2006 15:06:37 +0000

The Klein piece makes perfect sense! Except that the non-profits are mostly run by religious institutions. That means they can never be a publicly-funded. Back to the drawing board, Klein!

By: buma

buma — Thu, 22 Jun 2006 12:06:04 +0000

Our healthcare system is largely about insurance carriers getting their profits first, and the customers getting appropriate care second.
The wishful thinking policy has also been applied in the invasion/occupation of Iraq. Republican ‘planning’ is often faith-based.

By: drpedro

drpedro — Wed, 21 Jun 2006 23:06:03 +0000

As a practicing surgeon…I have to agree. A pure “free market” system doesn’t work for medical care.

I would forsee a system where there is private health insurers, but without for profit companies. The idea that paying CEO’s millions of dollars while at the same time cutting payments to physicians and hospitals and cutting benefits for consumers is ridiculous. No one on wall street should be making money on someone elses misfortune.

As usual with liberals though, klein makes statements not supported by the article. He says “publicly provided care is better”,as if he is speaking of a government health system, he isn’t. The article refers to non-profit, which likely means church based hospitals, (i.e. Catholic Healthcare….). Private systems are fine, and probably better, it is just better than they not be beholden to stockholders.