Politics Central: The Glenn and Helen Show: Fixing America's Health Care System

With the Democrats back in Congressional majority, there’s more talk of health care regulation, and perhaps even a Canada-style socialized-medicine approach. Dr. David Gratzer is the author of a new book, The Cure: How Capitalism Can Save American Health Care, and — as the foreword by Milton Friedman might suggest — he suggests a very different approach.

The Glenn and Helen Show: Fixing The American Health Care System

Gratzer, a Canadian physician who has practiced in both the Canadian and American medical systems, looks at the flaws in both approaches, and observes: “The problem and the predicament of American health care can be stated in a single, paradoxical sentence: Everyone agrees that it’s the best in the world, but nobody really likes it.”

We discuss HMO’s, single-payor, Health Savings Accounts, and how Wilbur Mills and Fanne Fox (well, mostly Wilbur Mills) played a major role in creating today’s problems. Plus, what to do about them.

———
Return to Pajamas Media homepage

Comments (3)

George Langworth :

Thanks for this excellent podcast. I will buy Dr. Gratzer's book for my wife who's a geriatric case manager...

Nov 20, 2006 07:59 AM

Crazyfish :

This is a silly podcast it would have been great if they spent more time attacking the genuine arguments for socialised medicine as opposed to strawmen. All lot of talk about the free market, curiously, they never dealt with the main argument against the free market, sick people get shafted. Companies cannot make money off of chronically ill, and seniors. How would you design a free market system does not allow companies to raise rates with impunity over chronically ill and seniors? And these are very same people who would not be able to pay for the high premiums. Additionally, they never dealt with the fact that although America may have the best advanced care in the world, preventative care is subcar, Cuba is better than us, poor people cannot afford insurance, and so they rarely get the preventative care they need before they get free expensive emergency room care
It is great that Helen was taken care of, but she does not contrast what would have happened if she did not have insurance? would she have great care apart from a trip to the emergency room. It would be nice if there was a thoughtful analysis of her experience. Of course some people point out that many people who do not have insurance is because they choose not. But for many others is because the jobs they have does not offer great insurance, when you figure that you have to have a take care of clothing and shelter and retirement for your family, not much is left for healthcare.
The podcast was a shame because I really am on the fence on the whole issue of socialised, and I would have like real arguments and not straw men, or debates on who is more compassionate.

Nov 20, 2006 12:18 PM

P Campbell :

Enjoyed the podcast.

One thing the government could do immediately is to make health savings accounts available to everyone. Nor should the limits be so low. I have an account through my employer, but as the rules now stand, anything not used by the end of the year is forfeited. This should not be. Funds should be allowed to accumulate and carry over from year to year.

Our government should not be stealing our money, only to dole it back to us as they see fit.

It is high time for a new tea party!

Nov 20, 2006 07:00 PM


	Found in: Glenn & Helen Show ; Podcast November 20, 2006 12:14 AM The Glenn and Helen Show: Fixing America's Health Care System With the Democrats back in Congressional majority, there’s more talk of health care regulation, and perhaps even a Canada-style socialized-medicine approach. Dr. David Gratzer is the author of a new book, The Cure: How Capitalism Can Save American Health Care, and — as the foreword by Milton Friedman might suggest — he suggests a very different approach. Listen to this podcast (38:47) or download (23.3 MB) The Glenn and Helen Show: Fixing The American Health Care System (lofi version 5.8 MB). Free show subscription available at iTunes. The Glenn and Helen Show: Fixing The American Health Care System Gratzer, a Canadian physician who has practiced in both the Canadian and American medical systems, looks at the flaws in both approaches, and observes: “The problem and the predicament of American health care can be stated in a single, paradoxical sentence: Everyone agrees that it’s the best in the world, but nobody really likes it.” We discuss HMO’s, single-payor, Health Savings Accounts, and how Wilbur Mills and Fanne Fox (well, mostly Wilbur Mills) played a major role in creating today’s problems. Plus, what to do about them. ——— Return to Pajamas Media homepage digg this del.icio.us comment email print x Email this link to: Your email address: Message (optional): Comments (3) George Langworth : Thanks for this excellent podcast. I will buy Dr. Gratzer's book for my wife who's a geriatric case manager... Nov 20, 2006 07:59 AM Crazyfish : This is a silly podcast it would have been great if they spent more time attacking the genuine arguments for socialised medicine as opposed to strawmen. All lot of talk about the free market, curiously, they never dealt with the main argument against the free market, sick people get shafted. Companies cannot make money off of chronically ill, and seniors. How would you design a free market system does not allow companies to raise rates with impunity over chronically ill and seniors? And these are very same people who would not be able to pay for the high premiums. Additionally, they never dealt with the fact that although America may have the best advanced care in the world, preventative care is subcar, Cuba is better than us, poor people cannot afford insurance, and so they rarely get the preventative care they need before they get free expensive emergency room care It is great that Helen was taken care of, but she does not contrast what would have happened if she did not have insurance? would she have great care apart from a trip to the emergency room. It would be nice if there was a thoughtful analysis of her experience. Of course some people point out that many people who do not have insurance is because they choose not. But for many others is because the jobs they have does not offer great insurance, when you figure that you have to have a take care of clothing and shelter and retirement for your family, not much is left for healthcare. The podcast was a shame because I really am on the fence on the whole issue of socialised, and I would have like real arguments and not straw men, or debates on who is more compassionate. Nov 20, 2006 12:18 PM P Campbell : Enjoyed the podcast. One thing the government could do immediately is to make health savings accounts available to everyone. Nor should the limits be so low. I have an account through my employer, but as the rules now stand, anything not used by the end of the year is forfeited. This should not be. Funds should be allowed to accumulate and carry over from year to year. Our government should not be stealing our money, only to dole it back to us as they see fit. It is high time for a new tea party! Nov 20, 2006 07:00 PM Comments have been archived for this page.	Election Central Issues Central Media Central Freeranger Central Glenn & Helen Show The Sanity Squad Pajamas Media Politics @Squidoo Support Pajamas Media; Visit Our Advertisers RSS Feeds RSS \| Atom Pajamas Media How Many Houses Does McCain Own? Guess Who’s Opening the DNC? David Zucker Commits Hollywood Treason Why Obama is Slipping PETA Becomes a Parody of Itself China’s Revealing Spectacle of Lies Government Workers Immune from Economic Realities PJM Political 8/20/08: Flashback To Saddleback! Support Pajamas Media; Visit Our Advertisers Suggestion Box Subject: Message:

The Glenn and Helen Show: Fixing America's Health Care System

Comments (3)

George Langworth :

Crazyfish :

P Campbell :

RSS Feeds

Pajamas Media

Suggestion Box