A suggestion for single-payer advocates

[ccr1138.livejournal.com]

I have a friend who is a pediatrician and a strong advocate for government-run, single-payer health insurance. To her and all her friends who have formed an organization to fight for socialized medicine, I say this:

If you truly believe in single payer, why not set up your practice now so you ONLY take Medicaid patients? This is a serious suggestion; I’m not trying to be snide. Medicaid patients have an extremely difficult time finding doctors because the government doesn’t pay very much for those services. But if we went to single-payer, EVERYBODY would be like a Medicaid patient. If you truly think that’s best, and you’re willing to take lower compensation for your work for the public good, why not start now? You could significantly reduce your paperwork and staff requirements because you wouldn’t have to hassle with all the different providers. It would be a win/win, and it would be ethically consistent with your stance against private insurance.

My doctor in Canada said he received $8 for a patient visit. That’s Canadian dollars, mind you. Do you think that would work for you?

Comments

[mijopo.livejournal.com]

That’s Canadian dollars, mind you

Since the USD and CAD are basically at par, that clarification probably doesn't have quite the deflating effect you seem to be shooting for.

[meus-ovatio.livejournal.com]

Yeah, and now I can't snicker at Canadians every time I buy a book. Bastards.

[a-new-machine.livejournal.com]

I know! Injustice, says I.

[ccr1138.livejournal.com]

I still have a lot of funds in Canada I need to transfer back to the USA. Believe me, that 11-cent difference doesn't look so small right now. I'm waiting for true parity!

[mijopo.livejournal.com]

11 cents? more like 1.5 cents:

http://finance.yahoo.com/currency-converter?amt=1&from=usd&to=cad&submit=convert#from=USD;to=CAD;amt=1

[ccr1138.livejournal.com]

Try it the other direction. And yeah, it's only two cents. My bad. My bank isn't giving those rates -- yesterday I asked and was given a rate of 1 CDN dollar to 89 cents US. For $15,000 that would be $1,650 difference in value between the two currencies.

[dwer.livejournal.com]

obviously, you need to find a more socialist bank.

[allhatnocattle.livejournal.com]

The dollar is at par, even-steven. It is bouncing around 98-99cents and should be just over a dollar in the next week or two, as the USD is expected to spiral down even more.

It would seem your issue is with your banks fees. I think that charging ten cents on the dollar is absolutely ridiculous. The bank is providing two separate services for you. #1 transfer of funds. #2 exchanging currency. So don't expect them to provide this service for free, but you might want to shop around. Often the simple threat of shopping around will see their service rates reduced.