What about contracting with foreign countries to provide services to those on Medicare and Medicaid

[Tony_FLADEM]

Suppose those on Medicaid and Medicare had the option of receiving services from foreign providers. For example, if one needed surgery they could have an option of receiving the surgery in Canada and there would be a financial incentive involved. The foreign provider could even come to the U.S. to provide the service.

This would save money and be better than the Republicans' plan of drastic cuts to these programs.

It's just a general idea. You think something similar to this is feasible?

[subterranean]

1. I don't think Canada has the capacity to handle the demand.

Aside from that obstacle, I think it's feasible. Canada sometimes sends people to the U.S. when necessary, and pays for it, too. Some U.S. insurance companies are now paying for people to go to places like India or Costa Rica for their surgery. So, yes, it's feasible. I just don't think it's the ideal solution.

[dixiegrrrrl]

2. You are assuming the issue is about money.

The issue is NOT about money, no matter what the Regressives tell you.
The issue is about "everything for the Republicans" and nothing for the poor, women, minorities.
They want to cut Medicare/Medicaid because those are not money making programs, no insurance company really can benefit as much as it can in the private sector. The programs themselves set the prices, Dr.s and insurance hate that.

In fact, the Regressive talking points recently have been all about having programs "like" the Medicare Part D Drug program,which is horrendously expensive because drug companies set the pricing mechanism.
Same with Part B of Medicare's "Gap Insurance". Private insurance, sky high rates.

Keep in mind that we COULD afford Medicare, Medicaid, and even higher Soc. Sec. payments if the government had not taken all of our tax money and given it away to FOREIGN banks, and to banksters, via TARP, and to the Military Industrial Complex ( MIC) via oil/resource driven wars that make a profit for private companies.
Same thing that has been done for decades, really, but now on a faster schedule, to compete with China and Russia for those dwindling resources.

EOM

[Bryn]

3. Unrec'd

What a terrible idea!

[ProudDad]

4. The better idea would be to import their Health Care System

to replace the USAmerican for-profit Sick Care System...

But per Obama, et al, that was OFF THE TABLE from the start...

[Fuddnik]

5. Dumbest idea since NAFTA. So it would probably pass.

Washington doesn't deal in brains anymore.