i've heard malpractice insurance is < 1% of healthcare costs, so how come everyone thinks lawsuits are a big problem? i have to pay more than 1% of my income on car insurance and no one says that is a big problem in america.
chrisatmudd
Maybe, maybe not. I'm pretty sure that health care providers would argue that lawsuits increase insurance costs, but here's an interesting article on the subject: http://www.atla.org/pressroom/FACTS/medmal/Healthcare.aspx
rhsaunders
You'd better believe it. An Ob-gyn typically pays over $ 100,000 in malpractice insurance premiums. If he sees 20 patients a day, 250 days a year, that's $ 20 on the bill just for the insurance.
houseitch
Insurance is the biggest rackett in the world, it's all about the money. They don't find cures, it would save too many people. Car insurance is another rackett, but you don't want to be caught without it. They only want your money. I have read where the car insurance companies don't like seat belts, because they save lives, [I couldn't believe what I was reading] because it cost insurance companies more in medical care to fix a person than it would if they got killed.
Just Q
I would suspect that insurance plays a part but without it,a large settlement in a court case would close down a Dr's practice or a hospital in it's entirity.
Having worked in the medical field for over 30yrs in many capacities,I have seen how the ER is abused and I believe this to be the biggest reason health cost inflater.
People using the ER for colds,headaches,sick stomachs,etc.
When I started in the medical profession,the ER was for exactlly what it is called. . . .Emergency Room. People only came in the ER in the event of life or death situations.
ER's have to be staffed by more Dr's,Pharmacists,
nurses,lab technicians,x-ray technicians,business office personnel and housekeepers. Every bit of this costs.
Supplies are being bought at an astounding rate,bandages,tape,x-ray film,urinals,bed pans,disposable pillows,pill bottles,etc.
Then there is the cost of Hazardous Material Disposal,all of the trash accumulated with all of the patients that are seen etc.
It just keeps adding up and it's got to get paid for somehow and I believe this to be the biggest factor in rising heatlh care costs.
savagesteve13
No, lawsuits are insignificant contibutors towards health care costs.
The health care industry is "noncompetitive". Aka, they fix prices and the consumer has little recourse due to the power of the AMA.
Health Care is like a giant drug cartel. They tell you how much you should pay and you pay it.
Orignal From: are lawsuits a significant factor in healthcare costs?
Post a Comment