As you know, Scott Brown, a Republican, defeated the Democratic candidate to fill Sen. Ted Kennedy’s U.S. Senate seat, a stunning reversal of Massachusetts trends of the last 50 years, for a seat that the Dems thought they couldn’t lose.
While there is certain to be a lot of political fallout and spin doctors massaging the message, it’s hard to argue that the health care reform razzle-dazzle isn’t part of it. As I’ve said before, I doubt that there’s a single American, let alone a U.S. Senator, who could even tell you, clearly and plainly, what the bill looks like today.
You can find other articles in Sword Tips discussing some of these provisions, and the lack of cost-saving provisions. I think what Americans resent is the enormous resources devoted to an omnibus bill of gargantuan proportions, unread by virtually all, that has jumped ahead of job creation and economic stability for so many Americans.
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For those of you attempting to follow the meandering health care reform debate … gold stars if you have any idea where this sits today … you might be interested in the recent Business Week article, Radical Surgery, about a hospital that slashes costs AND delivers high quality with innovative flair.
One parenthetical observation in this article is the reminder that “there are no proposals in either the House or Senate reform bill to scrap the fee-for-service system.” As a result, there is little expectation from the Congressional Budget Office that the legislation will do much to halt the medical health inflation.
Don’t you think some attempt to get at the core of health care costs should be the ante for any health care reform bill?
My last newspaper column, Can Small Companies lead in consumer-directed health care?, focused on certain health care ideas and the success that companies like Whole Foods have had focusing on individual responsibility for some of these basic costs.
According to a new report, over $700 million is wasted each year in the medical system, equal to roughly 1/3 of total health care spending in the U.S. Business Week dug beneath the surface to find 10 Ways to Cut Health Care Costs Right Now, to learn about other ways you can begin … NOW … to cut health care costs for your company and family.
Like I’ve said, I certainly didn’t intend to wade into this health care reform quicksand but just the thought of a 2,000 page bill that legislators haven’t read conjures a paperwork morass that, like a stealth bomber, sneaks in under the radar and does incredible damage before you wake up in the morning …
… not to mention how much stuff is buried in there we haven’t heard about yet or the laughable observations that it won’t cost anything. Where to start? How about David Broder’s observaations about its failure to deliver on cost controls, he being the former of Chief of Staff for Prez Clinton.
How about the Wall St. Journal report that the promised tort reform – sounds good – is coupled with a provision that provides incentive payments to states that adopt a “alternative medical liability law” … but ONLY IF it does not limit attorney’s fees or impose caps on damages”? Huh? Isn’t that at the core of tort reform in the first place?
How about the concept that none of this will cost anything because the savings will offset the cost? Gee, we’ve never heard that one before.
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Like I said, I really didn’t intend to wade into this health care reform mess … but just the appearance of a 2,000 page bill that purports to have figured out the entire health care system … is ludicrous! That alone makes me flatly opposed to this bill … and to those who say something is better than nothing, I say, not really. Sometimes the devil you know is better than the devil you don’t.
Earlier, I offered to those of you who fully believe in this process to take the challenge of solving The World’s Greatest Puzzle. If that’s not enough to dissuade you from obeisance to this bill, read David Leonhardt’s NY Times article describing by how far this ponderous health care bill misses the target.
I didn’t really intend to wade into the morass of health care reform but the appearance of a 2,000 page bill pushed me over the edge.
So, my breathless health care reform lapdogs … and you know who you are … here’s your assignment.
Pick up a copy of War & Peace and the King James version of the Bible. Please immediately complete a detailed analysis of these tomes, tracing all the themes, characters, relationships, timelines, action items & plot threads. You’ve got 24 hours, with maybe a brief extension if you can pass a pop quiz demonstrating that you’ve been working hard on your assignment.
Oh, you’re too busy, too much else to do, it’s an impossible assignment after all?
Well, now you know how I feel about the 2,000 page health care bill that the House of Reps just passed! First, do you really think any of them have read any meaningful part of it? And, do you really think anyone can even begin to understand the combinations and permutations of all those provisions … or fathom the hidden meanings, overlooked phrases, typos, errors, contradictions … ad nauseum? Can anyone say with a straight face, let alone actually calculate, that it will not cost anything because the savings will offset the cost?
No whining, bleating, crying. If you really believe that this is even remotely achievable, we all await with equally breathless anticipation your forthcoming literary analysis. For extra credit, please identify which 2,000 page legal document you would be willing to sign … and you will be allowed ample time to read it … to commit you and your loved ones to aany contractually binding arrangement.
Here’s just the tip of the iceberg in the record-breaking 2,000 page health care bill … nutrition labeling for vending machines, new costs for virtually every restaurant chain to spell out nutrition guidelines, in-home counseling for pregnant mothers, priority to Indian health clinics in certain states, adult coaching on “parenting practices”, etc.
Are some of these worthy objectives? Yes. Should all of these be legislated, buried in a 2,000 page bill virtually no one has read? You be the judge … but be on the lookout for more bull chips concealed in the mud of this legislative extravaganza … as some people DO start to read it.
The North Bay Business Journal, a publication of the New York Times, is a weekly business newspaper which covers the North Bay area of San Francisco – from the Golden Gate bridge north, including the Wine Country of Sonoma and Napa counties.
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Article published – November 2, 2009
“The only way to keep your health is to eat what you don’t want, drink what you don’t like and do what you’d rather not.” - Mark Twain
Health care reform has become a cause célèbre with potential costs that will threaten many small businesses. That’s one of the reasons I’m attracted to the growing use of “consumer-directed” plans that require each of us to take a more active role in managing the financial side of our own health care.
The New York Times looks at some of these alternatives in “Making Sense of High Deductible Plans“. You should also consider the comments by John Mackey, president of Whole Foods, in his controversial op-ed piece explaining Whole Foods’ approach to health care coverage, a piece that caught the attention of the Obama administration.
Over the years, I’ve repeated ad nauseam my belief that the principal flaw in the health care industry is our lack of individual financial accountability.
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Welcome to Exkalibur. I’m Lary Kirchenbauer, President of Exkalibur Advisors, Inc. Please take advantage of our resources to help you build your business ... and let me know what more we can do to serve you.
Read my latest column from the NY Times affiliate, the North Bay Business Journal.
Lary was an important component in helping us raise our first (over-subscibed) fund at Harbour Group. His doggedness, professionalism, and friendly demeanor helped open doors for what, at the time, was an untested and reasonably new concept. He was a pleasure to work with and remains a friend to this day.
Ralph Lobdell, Chairman, Tripos, Inc.
