John Barrasso Discusses Tort Reform, Medicaid, and Republican Health Care Reform Ideas

[momtilla]

Hello I have a constructive suggestion Dr. Barrasso. Encourage people who receive medicaid to view the billing submitted in their name. Or the loved ones name who they care for. I have. So far 4.000.00 of over billing addressed. I'm about to address over 4.000.00 more dollars that were a "computer mistake." 

[rrhynes]

@1947rande I got news for you retard, it isn't just about health care. Tort reform would make a difference in many ways.

[kipptumor]

Ask any right-wing turd what they think a fair "cap" for them losing their eyesight would be - Hold them to a specific figure. They shut the Hell right up because if they try they look as ridiculous as a rodeo clown.

[rrhynes]

@kipptumor Just leave it unlimited, like it is now, that will teach everyone a lesson. You fucking idiot.

[kipptumor]

@rrhynes Okay genius - I want a dollar figure RIGHT NOW regarding the price of your eye sight for the rest of your life. Tort reform - the right wing magic bullet to take every sick American to the candy mountain. Blow it out your hillbilly ass.

[rrhynes]

@kipptumor Here's the point: it needs to be fair and impartial. Everybody has different opinions about what they are worth. When you buy a ilfe insurance policy, it doesn't say " We'll pay whatever your family thinks your worth!" . Same goes for you car insurance. It needs to be objective. Even if I got 50 million dollars for losing my eyesight, I'd still be blind. Lastly, why should an inusarnce company pay you a huge settlement? They didn't make you go blind.

[murphyj87]

@rrhynes The extra cost of malpractice lawsuits is an insignificant proportion of

health spending in both the U.S. (0.46%) and Canada (0.27%). In Canada the

total cost of settlements, legal fees, and insurance comes to $4 per person

each year, but in the United States it is $16 per person of the 63% of

Americans who have sufficient health coverage (Insurance, Medicare, Medicaid,

DVA or DoD) to actually be able to see a physician.

[rrhynes]

@murphyj87 So you're still not endorsing fair and objective settlements. Why am I not suprised. You're like the Unions that try to convince us that labor and pension costs are "only" so and so percent of real costs. Tort reform is just a piece of a big jigsaw puzzle, but it has a place in the big picture. It's necesssary.

[murphyj87]

@rrhynes When you consider that malpractice suits are 0.46% of health spending in the U.S. and insurance company overhead is 41.0% of health spending in the U.S., it puts it in perspective.

[rrhynes]

@murphyj87 And lawyers fees are 40 percent or more of those malpractice suits. How's that for perspective

[murphyj87]

@rrhynes 40% of the 0.46%, while insurance company overhead is 41.0% of health spending in the insurance run and insurance rationed American system..

[rrhynes]

@murphyj87 What you're missing is that the insurance companies are not the ones that are guilty of malpractice. It's the doctors and hospitals. Why is it the insurance companies are always the enemies?

[kipptumor]

@rrhynes Typucal - When the cost of settlements equals about 1% of the ENTIRE cost of health care in America, leave it to the right-wing turds to flock around a red herring issue that pales in comparison to the problems that arise simply from a "for-profit" health care system - period. Go drink some more strychnine and handle a few more snakes.

[kipptumor]

@rrhynes Every time, man - Every time I ask this question to tort reform parrots I get the same answer - NONE! You pussies are so concerned with dollar costs etc. but when the tables are turned you sputter and fart. One percent of the entire cost of health care is paid out in malpractice settlements. If that's too much then maybe there should be more strict procedures for one to practice medicine in the first place.

[rrhynes]

@kipptumor You haven't asked me any question. You've only made statements. Actually, you're on the right track. Eliminate the ablity of the AMA to police it itself. While you're at it, eliminate that ability for the lawyers and law enforcement agencies as well. I'm not the big pussy around here. I'm willing to take my lumps. I've never collected a dime of disability , workers comp or unemployment in my life. ...despite having been able to do so.

[rrhynes]

@kipptumor You spout off about perentages, but that isn't the point at all. Why incur any cost, unless it's really necessary. One percent here, two percent there...year after year after year. Get you head out of your ass pal. Suing people for wrongdoing is never going to go away,but it's being run like the wild fucking west. No fucking rules, no limits , no nothing. Lawsuits are totally out of control. We need stricter controls over frivolous lawsuits and punishment for those that bring them.

[kipptumor]

@rrhynes You think there should be a percentage for defense spending. I would be careful casting judgement about who is indeed examining the inside of their own rectum. I'll ask again, tool: How much for you to go blind for the rest of your life. Ass.

[rrhynes]

@kipptumor Defense spending has nothing to do with insurance compaines and lawsuits. I highly doubt you can examine your own rectum with the aid of a mirror. If you can, I think you should join the circus. Rhetoric should not be taken seriously.

I really don't know what that is worth, but I bet my insurance policy knows. lol

[kipptumor]

@rrhynes You brought up "percentages", so I related the scope of the issue where you led it. In terms of malpractice settlements, once again the facts do not matter to the right-wing turds. It is 1% of the entire cost of health care, and as far as doctors having to pay for expensive insurance policies themselves, I really feel for them - lol.

[kipptumor]

@rrhynes If you want to shift back and forth between the importance of "percentages" and OTHER factors then we can turn to the Canadian system, and see that not only is their GDP as healthy as ever, but nobody had to make the decision between medical attention or their home. "Government is the enemy until you need a friend".

[murphyj87]

The only improvement shown by the data about Texas Tort Reform legislation is a decline in doctors liability insurance premiums. But the reported 27 percent decrease in those premiums is dwarfed by the 67 percent reduction in malpractice payments, suggesting that liability insurance companies have pocketed most of the gains. The Texas data provide no evidence that patients or taxpayers have shared in the windfall at all.

[rrhynes]

@murphyj87 Any savings is worth it! Why not change it? It isn't just doctors premiums. It's about car wrecks, injuries on private property, etc. WE all benefit, directly or indirectly , from lower insurance premiums.

[murphyj87]

@rrhynes Until your father or mother or child is killed by malpractice and you find out you can't sue for anywhere near the amount you think you should get.

[rrhynes]

@murphyj87 LOL. That is pathetic. The amount I think I should get huh? Interesting. So insurance premiums were invented for people to use to eradicate grief? What happened to indemnity? It's all about money to some people and that's why it's a fucked up mess. Why I should get to live high on the hog because a loved one is dea. People like yourself are why I pray for the end of days. We need to eradicate the face of the earth of trash like you.

[murphyj87]

@rrhynes No, that is what tort reform is about. Denying you the right to compensation for being wronged for a few pennies less in insurance premiums..

[rrhynes]

@murphyj87 Compensation or punitive damages? There is a big difference. Nobody is arguing about compensatoy damages. Punitive damages are what are disgusting and should be abolished.

[murphyj87]

@rrhynes Tort reform virtually eliminates both. Incompetent physicians thrive on tort reform.

[rrhynes]

@murphyj87 It elminates the subjective and emotional bullshit that awards fabulous amounts of money to so-called "victims". It should be predictable and established, just like your insurance policy. You pay for an insurance policy and it has a set limit on it's payoff............regardless of how you die. Your car insurane works the same way.

[murphyj87]

@rrhynes So you think that someone made a quadriplegic during an appendix operation should get no compensation at all? Only 225,000 Americans die from medical mistakes each year (according to the Journal of the American Medical Association), but there are 1000 times that many medical mistakes that only maim and not kill.

[rrhynes]

@murphyj87 Nobody said that they didn't deserve compensation. They don't deserve to be paid a sum of money that equates to ten times their entire families lifetime earnings.

[murphyj87]

. Spending increases for diagnostic testing (measured by per patient Medicare reimbursements) have far exceeded the national average.

[murphyj87]

that the health care system in Texas has grown worse since 2003 by nearly every measure. For example:

• The percentage of uninsured people in Texas has increased, remaining the highest in the country with a quarter of Texans now uninsured;

• The cost of health insurance in the state has more than doubled;

• The cost of health care in Texas (measured by per patient Medicare reimbursements) has increased at nearly double the national average; and

[biggerturtle]

Right on zombie!!

[robrigo80]

You can not keep lowering reimbursement to doctors while simultaneously increasing there malpractice premiums. This forces the doctors to manipulate the system by finding ways to increase reimbursement from insurers per patient. physicians do this by performing more diagnostic testing. I know many primary care physicians that cannot afford to maintain payroll this year despite already seeing 40-50 pts per day. Overhead for a medical pracitce is currently around 60%. System needs change

[biggerturtle]

The biggest hypocrisy is that healthcare reform does not include tort reform. Fuck the trial lawyers and congress's implicit affirmation of their lobby. Throw the bums in Congress out and start over

[residentzombie]

Vote Libertarian, both parties are United Nation puppets. Dr. Ron Paul 2012!

[deanthedream17]

we need tort reform we are losing too many doctors this way, my dad practiced trauma surgery for over 30+ years and could have practiced for 10 years at least more, but something that he used to enjoy doing just turned into headaches. Not only since he was serving in under privileged areas (Jersey City) and not getting paid for working alot of hours, but he would get lawsuits constantly from the people who never paid him in the first place, lawyers would stand outside the hospitalwaitingforcases

[brentm84067usa]

That's 200 billion in DEFENSE. "The powerful trial lawyer lobby". So, are we willing to eat the crap sandwich just to make the trial lawyers happy?

[henleythecat]

The problem with Tort reform is not who losses, but who wins? If all you do is cap the awards, then what?

- Malpractice insurance win, but would they pass along all their savings? If yes:

- Health care providers win, but would they pass along all their savings? If yes:

- Health care insurance providers win, but would they pass along all their savings?

It's no wonder it hasn't work in multiple states.

Should we do away with all malpractice suits?

Where is the GOP legislation on this?

[aldoinla]

Here he is again...Mr. Health Fair! Tort Reform...hmmmn that will take care of 0.6% of the problem. How about breaking the unjust Monopoly that Health Insurance companies have on the health care industries? No, that would be horribly unfair. Let's just extend the Monopoly across state lines so Blue Cross of California can compete with Blue Cross of Arizona!!!!!!!! Surely that will bring down costs! Do not be fooled. The only way to level the playing field is through a Public Plan. Movin' on.

[DillonX]

tort reform is a red herring - it's a minor part of costs

Here in Texas the insurance companies told us we had to make it impossible to drive on the roads w/ out auto insurance by requiring it on registration & making the fines extremely high if anyone didn't have insurance.

In exchange they promised us the rates would go down. Do I have to tell you how that worked out.

Then the health ins companies promised if we put in tough tort reform, ins costs would go down. Do I have to tell you...

[vllmer]

Great video, please free the free market from hobbling of the government-commerce across state lines, portable insurance, loser pays in medical lawsuits (but not caps, likely), re-examine all the wacky micromanaging by big gov over the years that may have unintended consequences.

I'm not saying gov should NOT regulate market.

Stop spreading deliberate dysfunction to create crisis, and excuse to intervene and seize more taxes from Americans. And appease trial lawyers, Sebelius is a former TL btw.

[skye820]

There is a trend in countries that have a single payer healthcare plan for patients to seek medical treatment outside the established system . My immediate concern is about the absence of quality indicators and oversight in this scenario. Makes one wonder what the actual infection rates are in these nations.

I've not read any details on how the proposed health care reform bill will improve quality of care. Can you describe how the Republican alternatives would improve the quality of care?