@pluralistic has great thoughts about the recent murder of #UnitedHealthCare #CEO #BrianThompson and how they relate to a story he wrote a while ago:
pluralistic.net/2024/12/09/rad…
However, #Anthem's retreat from changing how anaesthesia is billed, was one a rare "Enemy of my enemy" moment.
In this piece:
vox.com/policy/390031/anthem-b…
@Vox explains how "[the] policy would not have increased costs for their enrollees...it would have reduced payments for some of the most overpaid physicians in America."
A big insurer backed off its plan to pay less for anesthesia. That’s bad.
Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield tried to impose claim limits on anesthesia. Following the killing of UnitedHealth CEO Brian Thompson, a populist uproar forced Anthem to reverse that policy.Eric Levitz (Vox)
Andreas K
in reply to Oliver Sampson • • •Shrug, that might be so.
But US health insurers aren't exactly the most trusted entities.
Furthermore the US public has been indoctrinated that's there is nothing wrong as such in maximizing your profits. These doctors are working for their money?
The insurers are increasing their profits by not doing their work, e.g. paying for medically needed treatment, they literally are making a buck by being a Bond villain.
@pluralistic @Vox
Andreas K
in reply to Andreas K • • •But yes, as the son of two doctors, the USA was always the land flowing with honey and milk. And unsurprisingly many malpractice suits.
If you remove (partially) the for profit motive from healthcare, two things happen: a nation can afford much more of it (eg universal healthcare becomes an option) and the people working in healthcare start to earn way more average incomes.
@pluralistic @Vox