Warren Tolman on health care

" This forum who wrote this. 680 WRK a good morning Monday morning gorgeous day we seem to be having some southern -- kind of a pattern of of summer weather now that weren't. Day three of little -- and well I guess -- 78 or so eighty degrees today absolutely this is beautiful it's nice to see this and actually rising note there. That is a voice of warrants Holman. A former state -- state senator candidate for lieutenant governor candidate for governor. And what else do you run for president senate that's it -- not 35 -- to a camera perpetrator but. Well we'll look for it -- if you reaching that point -- off this week warrant -- filling in today. And now thank you for doing so warmly everywhere it's such a great opportunity to have a liberal parent kind of excited. To have the other ex -- for a present it. Put anti forward so -- chance to flesh out this public option argument that we're hearing and and really that's. I think putting the Obama health care initiative in jeopardy. And I I think the reason that they want public insurance plan to go along with the private ones. Is of the long term desire to have the whole -- socialize and be able to get rid of the the the private insurers and move to a single Payer model. Which I suspect you favor you -- that in past -- I'd like to single program or use Purdue howdy I have a question about this with the the notion of a public plan. The the Obama administration is arguing that it would compete fairly then -- being equal to the private plans. And that but but at the same time they're saying it would pressure the public plans. To -- cut costs because that part that it would pressure the private insurers to match the efficiency. Of the public plan. That suggests that there's in an uneven this right off the bat and how would the private insurers be able to compete."

" While the uneven has taught is it to the public plan will not be looking for profits. Personally. That's the the theory is that there are some obviously some profit motive sister should be on the private side. And the question is how much profits. The private side is actually going to get sold by -- you know and look they should get profits if he appeared to providing services to people. That that's the American what percent profit is I don't know what percent I haven't worked -- through put to -- certain percentage is it is at 40% no it's less than forty per."

" Let's say for the sake of argument I don't know either but let's say it's 10% it is a low profit in general for companies to be in business for if private insurers are. Gonna be shooting for 10% profit that would mean they are automatically 10% more expensive how did they survive."

" Well if they're providing they're providing perhaps better service whose you know what. People on the right will say -- government is that you can't do a year you're inept as to your bureaucratic there's too much red tape. Government shouldn't be doing this they can't do it so therefore everybody you'll shift pay a little bit more may -- to the private."

" Model that's the question. And well no that's not a question because it what the government is our vision of the question what whether that happened on the telecast -- can't happen maybe it's it's a false opportunity the year presenting when our government is bad at doing a lot of things it's good that some things want things it's very good -- is giving money away to people. And given the opportunity to have a a public plan that'll be cheaper. Right versus our prior plan it'll cost more it would be for any news or for the private plan to have something in its back trips offered to pull people away from the --"

" Where you gonna be surprised actually you what I don't agree on this and that is that if there is a public plan. The public planned should be very limited. With the exact dollars on how much money goes into providing health care coverage. Four X number of all of individuals. So we put Simonyi age strict budget. And did not -- exceeded insure that it the the level did is a level playing field between the private insurers in the public plan I said another way -- what they're real ever world basically you're gonna limit the amount of money that they're gonna get. So that that there's any that this this healthcare plan that's providing private health insurance to -- equivalent -- Yup they're prohibited the public point of providing the equivalent of the private health insurance -- to John Q public account and we're gonna put on a strict budget. And and and make sure that -- if state if -- cost overruns in the like then they have to pay the consequences."

" Now you're getting in the area the government isn't good. Strict budgets well and especially when you're taking care of the pour back to the conversation or have unload the last half hour we have to ensure that there is accountability within the public program. To make sure that it is a -- I don't know who's gonna do that because what it's going to be the idea of having a public insurance plan that's part of this new health care initiative seems to me just to be a time bomb as all social programs are but one that's designed. To eventually get rid of the private insurers and here's why what we hear is. That the public option will be. And efficient alternative and will put pressure on the private insurance companies to lower the cost of health insurance. The reason we're told us because you'll operate just like Medicare. That is it will leverage. It's providers hospitals and doctors to charge laughs which is what happens in Medicare Medicare pays what seventy cents on the dollar -- on a good day. Four two doctors and hospitals so part of the reason UN higher paying as much as we are for our. Health care our health insurance plans is because we have to give the money to the doctors and hospitals that they're being shorted. By Medicare. Where -- up that 30% or 35% -- they're not collecting on the public plant. So if you get rid of all of the private money comin' in and you it's you're saying okay that 20% of the population is being covered by Medicare. That the doctors are pain being paid fairly 20% of the population on Medicaid the doctors are being paid fairly and then you're gonna say and organize invite everybody in on the public plan. Then there's not going to be any money left over to be shorting."

" you did but that's not what the -- gonna do the bigger trashy it's gonna be a dollar for dollar. Payment from the public plan that's not a sales pitch to sales pitches we can save money because we have this group buying power if you have a public plan that's different group buying power is they weren't. You gotta do what we want it that's different to what -- saying however if there is a group buying power by all means I I think there should be some news from me if you can if you don't you're not dealing with a competitive marketplace it's not like there's 35000 garages Reno gave your car fixed. And one of them is you know one of them owns thirty of those and so they can they can get parts a little bit cheaper we're talking about. One guy the federal government controlling a disproportionate. Amount of the buying power so they can force hospitals to take less than what it's worth shall -- you're telling me that the government is gonna be so good at providing this service. In -- going to be so efficient it to gonna keep us on this at all quite -- I would say they're injured just what Medicare does which is it say. We're gonna pay you seventy cents on the dollar -- look at all the buying power because all these millions of people wanna be part of our program because it's so good right now by definition not because -- going to be cheaper and because. They're gonna put a bunch of people into right off the bat who are don't have a private insurance plan it's going to be less expensive in -- it's Tuesday people don't mess around with their health care. They wanted good quality service. So if it's less expensive and it's good. People gonna flock there in a state government here they're gonna get good buyer power the government has to drive down the government is for writing the health care under this model their propriety I don't insurance policy of people on the right -- make people believe what it's going to be getting 'cause we know that's where you wanna have eventually us -- we once its first step on the slide correct of course it is corsets and I don't want. Government telling me running my health care tell do you want government running General Motors no -- general mobile but you know our government. You want your governor running Chrysler. Of course you want the government running AIG I want -- what these companies running in you know what the government stepped in -- and -- and save them because you know were -- we get an -- debate that we -- during the presidential election although for another point is just to say that the instincts of the government are to take over everything from possibly take over everybody wants to grow their business. And we no longer have principles about -- government with the government runs roughshod and we also over radical on the White House you're telling me he doesn't I dream at night about a single Payer plan -- tell -- doesn't fantasize about how much better if the federal government you -- to be running -- GM he loves and shortly I can't think -- are already making plans for the -- to come -- look at your Hewitt's house trying to -- a -- the -- Leila. Some would guess I left the Senate. Here in don't want the government in these broke in in volume and and in need that leftist senator indoctrinate Hillary's look revitalization of the booster shot in the healthcare cost going up three times as fast as wages -- spiraling because of government control what is sure because a government but it did that all these things are -- by the government the -- single biggest component of health care cost over the last fifteen years it has been pharmaceutical prescription drugs and -- That's not government control what government tried to do the it was to use its buying power. -- to get lower car let's get some callers and obviously do it -- warrant -- and is here and WRKO filling in for top today we're talking about a public insurance plan deal like the idea Jeff and -- good morning your NW RKO what did you."

" Morning guys bad that this whole thing you're right -- the government they make the playing field and they've -- And let's say stroke from beyond. From the Dennis saying last hour it. Why why -- they -- it why don't we take the people get the most out just give that we temple but the people could see it's going to be rich got to work they have a favorite that I -- Free that's all there doesn't leader Jeff you don't think the poor people have figured out that it's good to be retreated but you know something not a Monica promoted by the people afraid told of people who want to just get what any political party running I want to be left alone you wanna take my money -- votes that's -- wanna --"

" That's sure that's the Democrats model Malaysia police Jeff Friday you know that's not the model taught and you notice of the model and I know -- did say you know that's you know who what what. What I would like to do is I see health care system that is totally bankrupt -- 47 million Americans without any million dollars. It's it's it's not a nice thing morally bankrupt you don't mean economically it's getting close it it's not working it's it's bankrupting us. Well it's it's it's bankrupting. You millions of Americans nearly half of all bankruptcies by the weather file the related in some part to help. Care expenses that have gone out of control it it's a system that is in functioning well. It's it's it is a serious from our our hospitals are in trouble. The employers imminent why do you think Wal-Mart is is is has come to one of the most more conservative all the -- in the public companies source smart say there on board with this so they can be at the negotiating table as I think it's gonna happen. And they don't miss the opportunity try to influence how it happened right and that's I mean I think it's good -- and their health care costs that they're paying for their employees doesn't have anything to do with it as a time to do with it taught to Revere because that their health care cost to providing coverage. For their employees is out of control 6172666868. We've got Canon little -- up next NW RKO with Warren told and I can't."

" They don't talk a warrant morning one bet that. -- to -- point we just Edouard on. That right -- of the business coming on board they brought just looking to unload their health insurance on the government -- expense sickened two --"

" Well but that's kind of playing into what Warren is saying which is that this has become an untenable expense for business. All right so they're ready to have the government involved."

" But it untenable because of what you -- staying chart when when when prices could be kept artificially low is to figure gonna happen. Every book while wanting everyone -- show up to wired because prices below a lower one's got a lot of good cheap. Then in order to take this thing you know equality is gonna look down or services or go to. Obviously surface is now have to call indicate that it's so it could be exact model of what happened with Medicaid. Except that now everyone's gonna beyond the public land electorate states there are no one's going to be game and."

" Yeah there's nowhere else to go from this nowhere else to go to squeeze people except this week's -- warrant and get -- pretend don't you think that everybody wants health and health care coverage today. Of course and so whether prices go down on -- they want it today in."

" Except when prices go about everything has an actual cost warrants so you can't take you can't make money Europe in the air. To pay for it doctor was put in and get the medical school or companies who are more hundred billion dollar developing a drug -- you're gonna get."

" Well the question is older than what we're drugs Alito off by the government in the future where we're paint -- were paying for today one way or the other these people show up but they don't have health care. Coverage we -- open an emergency room. And you know the cancer that they had that they should have been checked up for years ago is now in and that's."

" The cause of us want to make change that's a good point but it. The the response to that is government has to take this thing over. And to me there's a lot of steps in between let's find a way to make it cheaper let's find a way to fix I've never understood why everybody goes to emergency rooms when they need to -- culture. That's nuts because they don't have the primary care physician but there should be something in between the should be little nurse practitioners in storefronts are what you -- the stroke and Toronto which you don't -- absorb only so so there are tons of things that can be -- to lower the cost of of the way health care is provided in this country CAPTCHA without having to destroy the system that provides the world with its energy in its RED and it's drugs. That the best health care of -- plant matter that's nobody's destroying the system all we're doing is providing an alternative -- what's gonna look look look this is part of a huge -- million Americans get your health care through medic here sixty million Medicaid. Yeah it's a problem were providing a in equivalent to a private health insurance alternative for -- cause it's part of a plan. That will get rid of the government's gamers absolutely no question about it well who's in who's in charge of the government the most liberal government we've ever had. -- and reading your NWR yes pretty upset -- is here and act sets a good point FDR they might be as bad as FDR the script. --"

" I guess I wanna -- I could I ask a question you know we always hear. These stories about illegal immigrants getting free health care in this country is actually true illegal immigrants yeah sure okay. Why. That now if you plan will allow. Anybody say to. Purchase a health plan will that include the illegal population although they still be receiving them Medicaid but."

" Jody Jody why you have to ask such a question wouldn't it be cruel to deny people. Thanks there. Must signal on just say oh you're not that will be the arguments and there will be no argument -- illegal immigrants we'll absolutely get healthcare."

" Well -- health care system is certainly burden way beyond. Ever in history. I'm wondering if your connection between the fact that this country does provide free medical care the people who are here illegally. And so. One I have confirmed -- stopped doing that and then if what it would take even sensible way. For the illegal. And would solve a problem."

" Vote majority the the problem with that is if an illegal immigrant shows up in an emergency room. And let's say the least they had the car action or some and there are there were thrown from the the vehicle and they have head injuries. -- a possible gonna treat them that's the health care costs a lot in this country that -- holy."

" And what we need is the missing element which is while -- a hospital arrangements are made to get them out of the country. And send back where they came from instead of all these protections that we have for the people who are here illegally or so they get they don't get asked about their immigration status we hear she."

" I'm not treated throw him out from the hospital could you get a look at the total picture there but I -- disarming arrangements and you make sure they get dealt with properly. And -- laws are remarkably set up in the opposite manner in this country in which people. In positions where they could clearly discern that someone's here illegally and they can do something about it they're blocked. From taking that action in the -- of -- look at the total -- and I -- that -- we're trying to -- that's our mentioning you know -- know we don't wanna get -- what you have to you have to provide coverage you -- the argument you will -- to finish answering -- question the argument will be what you said earlier which is right now there's enormous cost of providing health care because illegal immigrants among others are going -- emergency rooms where they get health -- so we have to put him on the public plan. In order to save money that all the arguments that annual -- for legal immigrants it's not. But is -- essence yeah but -- was asking the question about illegal I'm sure yeah and illegals that's the argument that will be given to provide illegals more incentives to keep coming into the country. 6172666860. Warm insolvent is here. It is six AD WRKO. Speaker. --"

" Or just stay out there yesterday turned in a -- day Saturday was great just makes three early eighty degrees the high. Hallelujah. Things are coming along a little bit. -- off this week Warren -- and is here today we'll have varying cast of characters I think as the week goes on. And we're talking about the public Payer option is getting a lot of media because."

" It seems to be the dividing line in the hang opera now. In the president's and the leftists proposal to take over health care. The thing they want is this public insurer to compete against subprime ones it seems to me that it will be. In equitable competition and that will lead to a gradual. Movement of everybody out of the private plans into the public plan. Because they'll be able to do things more cheaply and by definition I mean that's. With the argue on the one hand you're saying Warren that we don't. Well there's no reason to expect. That the public plan would put the private ones out of business but. At the same time the argument is that the advantage of the public plan is that -- will be up able to operate more cheaply and their four. Are for some competition of the private insurers to lower cost it seems like a contradiction."

" Well it's not necessarily contradictions make it to you know there are things that for instance medic here has done over the years including. Improving news payment innovations. That the private insurers have adopted through there are things that what do you mean -- eloquently did just -- computerized yeah yeah the moved to Medicare -- believe god has a government run program that serves 45 million Americans. Has helped. The -- private insurers shift to more efficient means of conducting business. So all I'm saying and by the way here's a legitimate question -- whether this is just a plan to get. Everybody to the table for health care reform and have them sitting in the -- working out. People logistics and they -- this this isn't gonna happen but whether you -- for for our arguments -- you're saying this might just be a -- and -- yeah -- prepared to cave in on the idea this is -- people out there -- suggested that -- that is not enough supporting some -- manipulative -- I'm just I'm just -- that out as as a news worthy of -- kit thank -- I hadn't heard that -- politics is is such that did this does include -- a question of whether that's the case. But let's assume it is real and I actually think it would be a good thing because I think that did government. Ken bring some competition in one area where this a lot of market concentration is not a lot of competition -- hundreds and hundreds of private insurers well you you don't have hundreds and hundreds of private insurers to to go to. -- any state -- why is that. Because you've got to get the and ensure that will serve your market if you if your doctors are all located in east Texas and you live in Boston."

" Otherwise it's split up that why why is centrist. That's just the way the market government regulations and Norah I don't know what the idea the reasons are IDB's and so always seem crazy to me. But that event it's split up the way if you're working in New Hampshire you can. Bring your planned down a Massachusetts with its nuts to make sure her idea 6172666. Seats 68. Let's go to John in Weymouth John your NW RQ warrant -- in for Tom today hi."

" When I don't consider. -- More into that state -- a lot of money on health insurance right off the spot okay right by making putting a cap. On malpractice insurance okay. First thing it was put chapel they -- 50000 almost ballistic chopped off alarm lights out. That's a special special incident okay thank you Kate and all local all the lawyers. He kept the Senate -- and this stance of what the little Lawrence on -- wireless -- easy how would let me finish place. Okay that's right here. There is. -- that's not about the -- threat negotiate any any claim all 100000 policy has to go to court. Okay and benefit estate loans. Oh yeah yeah that's a very expensive."

" Our John thank you for the so called -- New York tort reform. If anyone ever good injured by a doctor's -- practice. They would do would never be a lawsuit had an answer that nobody would take those cases. When you get a page and that's ridiculous oracle or email aren't paid to get rid of contingencies most malpractice cases actually boots that's students to statistics. In in by the way they're the ones I go to trial by how many more percentage gets settled in. Social a good percentage gets settled but those -- the ones that are the most egregious that doctors -- so on because they've they've made some lady here he's suggesting a lot of settling happens because people would rather pay out money. For a settlement and be done with it rather than go through trial even if it's not a great client -- said the legitimate -- think that might have been the case fifteen or twenty years ago. Now the -- fight and everything insurance companies are frightened everything tooth and I don't do by the wages for the for the record I don't do any medical malpractice in the -- known in many cases -- referrals or anything else like that. What I I -- by the way to a do you know what percentage. All of the health care premiums are attributable to malpractice. Insurance it's time isn't it it's very small I don't know if it's it's."

" In a single week but we do hear from of doctors who give up things -- couple years ago it was a big thing that people wouldn't give. BOB July hands anymore because of the the risk of malpractice is so you do see an and we hear from medical professionals all it's not sure who say they're doing tests on a regular basis. That are -- cover your behind the guest of medicine and saw I don't know -- we those percentages are accurate in terms of the impact that of the risk of lawsuits. Has on how medicine is done in this country."

" Yeah and I'm sure it has some percentage. Increase in health care costs that are attributable to -- defense of medical practice. But I still suggests that you know it it if if a lawyer takes a case and defend in Inco -- after a doctor -- make some mistakes. Well he's doing that on behalf of someone who was wrong -- usually end and secondly. It's a it's a message that has to be sent to the medical industry to the doctors that they're going they sure be account for."

" Pressured to do their job well -- and then the question is just whether the that the cost benefit from it is there when you do the analysis because as a flip side to that point and a hotel is a former litigator -- the hardest cases of people look at. Our medical malpractice period is good that end and in motor vehicle after -- vehicle because you tell -- contingency of -- lawyers take them they've got to look awfully good because you'll gambling that you're you can get some money out of -- 6172666. Seats -- were talking about a public plan in the insurance proposal President Obama. -- four against David Braintree good morning your NW RQ war installment is in for Tom today hi David."

" I do or how we don't sit there. -- To order that is such a great health care plan part of Democrats specifically wrote the legislation at the date politicians are -- Because they have room where do we refer to. Acceptable we get our steps where permanence and stick a book or at Wyeth case specifically right and the legislation. That date the members of congress the Senate. Including the government official a white dot -- are exempt honest. What I'm -- I believe -- when they hate it yet -- station. Also let you when you say well strict government controls this government -- and trillion dollars in debt. If we operate. More."

" You you you're very you're you're correct David to to to laugh at that because it that's an issue but no no I I and I believe it would that it in order for the hello David before infant died there laughter you know. -- David do what I'm saying is that if this plan is going to compete he should have strict government controls and the Indy should have a limited pot of money. To -- will provide its services. So you know that has to be the rubric under which we designed this -- By the way I haven't seen a plan. If you if you wanna be -- to have the federal planned at the same -- members of congress have. Have to be a federal government employees. That's that's the problem here soil I don't know exactly what components of it in and I don't know that -- a specific. Section right now it's written that says that federal employees or members of congress have -- certain health care plan. That it there are exempted from any other. Components of."

" Aaron Neil -- WRK annex good morning --"

" It would torrid morning for new. I want to why take issue. With a couple things first -- the name of this thing it it itself it's called a single Payer option. And that's orwellian. -- if this gets passed we're not -- have an option. It's not gonna be an option."

" Well Warren Warren disputes whether the public. Insurance plan would wipe out the private insurers I don't see how it could be otherwise but to. He's he's questioning your assumption what the white isn't an option don't."

" Well it it won't be because the government. Well. Over regulating like it always does and everything else gets mixed into."

" Well the government's already in this industry I -- well I don't really need to get -- out of it but we have a private. Health care system today. --"

" We have what we republic when it it's okay if I I don't want healthcare cannot -- to. Not all of us want health care you won an insurance brought -- plan. I'm like perfect thing would be if I get hurt or I get sick I go to a doctor and I doubt in my own pocket whatever that whatever they are going great."

" And you have enough -- set aside its review of a catastrophic into an injury where you're gonna pay for it -- have to worry about that. I don't. Know don't bet you'll give bill that what do your what do Fuhrman you're quadriplegic and you can't then guess who pays for dale."

" You get cancer or some other common illness it's financially catastrophic."

" We were you but you what is your pockets aren't that deep. Then the system doesn't get --"

" okay if -- who pays them. But I would. But no you can't -- who you know well because -- name is -- Rockefeller union marketer in all likelihood going to be able to pay for catastrophic illness that's might might. Premise and that's why we require health insurance for other people sold that. There's enough money to provide for people that have god forbid something should happen you -- the other catastrophic injury. And the like him and we're there to help you during your time indeed and that's what health and he by requiring."

" Young but it's interesting to me that new -- meals presented is what the real issue is and where we should be focused on. Is having catastrophic health insurance plans rather than health insurance plans that cover every little hang nail what comes along. -- I I don't understand why we're focused on providing a social program which is really with that is rather than. Catastrophic --"

" Part of the answer that quickly to would be that we want to provide healthcare to everybody sold it if you have something which you might otherwise not go to the doctor for. You go to the doctor if you have coverage and it hurt it doesn't become the catastrophic illness it's preventative medicine 61726666. C warrant -- in today -- on vacation this week. Do you favor president Obama's push for a public insurance plan this is 680 WRKO. --"