Public health plan could save money faster: policy group

[kpete]

Source: Reuters

Public health plan could save money faster: policy group

By Susan Heavey Susan Heavey – Wed Jun 24, 8:00 am ET

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – A nationwide health insurance exchange that includes a Medicare-like government option could save $1.8 trillion more than if only private plans are offered, a prominent private U.S. health policy group said on Wednesday.

Federal spending on health-related costs would still rise from 2010 to 2020, but they would be less with a plan that pays doctors and hospital rates similar to the Medicare program for the elderly and disabled, according to a report by the Commonwealth Fund.

The New York-based health policy research group compared possible savings a health insurance exchange could bring under three different scenarios. One would include a Medicare-like plan along with private insurance. Another would instead offer a government-run plan with rates somewhat higher than Medicare. The final one would be private insurance with no government plan at all.

Such an exchange would offer a central point for consumers to shop for and compare health plans.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20090624/ts_nm/us_insurance_options;_ylt=AoOBBHMxiGS1LO7b2B3xuS934T0D;_ylu=X3oDMTJwYTJ1Z3I0BGFzc2V0A25tLzIwMDkwNjI0L3VzX2luc3VyYW5jZV9vcHRpb25zBHBvcwMxBHNlYwN5bl9hcnRpY2xlX3N1bW1hcnlfbGlzdARzbGsDcHVibGljaGVhbHRo

[Oregone]

1. Imagine what single-payer would save

You don't have to actually: http://content.nejm.org/cgi/content/short/349/8/768

[tomm2thumbs]

2. quick, bury this story. quick

before someone actually reads it and starts getting common sense into their head. quick - bury it.

[lindisfarne]

3. Public option has the greatest public support of any option out there. Keep calling - link to fax &

phone numbers of Senate Finance committee & Senate HELP committee members:
Go to #11 for HELP committee phone numbers.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=132&topic_id=8473420

Don't let them forget the public.

[pnwmom]

4. Off to the Greatest Page! n/t