Re: Vermont: Single-payer health care provider.

[Guest guest]

I do not feel any of us would like to see a single payer health care system, nor

would we want to see a single provider health care system. But I do believe

that we would all like to see some consistency in the rules and regulations

involved in the payer system. Right now the legislature in all 50 states favors

the money trail and I believe that trail leads back to the insurers. Until the

provider side of the equation is willing to organize and finance an effort, I

cannot see positive change in the payer system, reimbursement process or the

medical policies that continue to be heaped upon the providers. While I have

mentioned before that I am not a therapist, practically everyone reading this

post has an opportunity to affect change through some professional organization.

Here's my 2c plugging the APTA, ASHA and AOTA. If you are not a member, now

would be a good time to consider it. While I do not know what the annual cost

is, I expect it is probably less than a meal out once a month at a chain

restaurant.

I was able to attend PPS in Washington DC last fall. One of the keynote

speakers was Patch . Not only was he inspirational, he really nailed it

when he discussed the reality of our current healthcare system. An employer can

have an aging employment base of workers and wind up easily paying $1,000 per

month per employee to cover healthcare costs. Consider your local area. If

everyone were to bypass their insurance companies and pay premiums to the local

healthcare system/hospital, $1,000 per month times 1,000 people equals $1

million a month. In a year, over $12 million would be injected into your local

community provider network. Could a new hospital be built and staffing be

provided? Could there be more than 1,000 covered lives in your backyard? And

that doesn't include what patients are charged for coinsurance or deductibles.

Interesting thought process that Patch has..., he is such a rebel!

No saying his idea is the answer, but it really causes me to stop and think

about our process and how it could be changed for the better.

Jim <///><

RE: Vermont: Single-payer health care provider.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monopsony

" In <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economics> economics, a monopsony (from

ncient Greek (monos) " single " + (opsônia) " purchase " ) is a

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Market_form> market form in which only one

uyer faces many sellers. It is an example of

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Imperfect_competition> imperfect competition,

imilar to a <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monopoly> monopoly, in which

nly one seller faces many buyers. As the only purchaser of a good or

ervice, the " monopsonist " may dictate terms to its suppliers in the same

anner that a <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monopolist> monopolist controls

he market for its buyers. "

and

The lower employment and wage caused by monopsony power has two distinct

ffects on the economic welfare of the people involved. First, it

edistributes welfare away from workers and to their employer(s). Secondly,

t reduces the aggregate (or social) welfare enjoyed by both groups taken

ogether, as the employers' net gain is smaller than the loss inflicted on

orkers. "

ick Hillyer,PT

r. Hillyer, PT,DPT,MBA,MSM

illyer Consulting

ape Coral, FL 33914

_____

From: PTManager [mailto:PTManager ] On Behalf

f

ent: Tuesday, May 31, 2011 7:58 PM

o: PTManager

ubject: Re: Vermont: Single-payer health care provider.

FWIW, here's an article related to the Vermont universal healthcare issue.

http://www.avaresearch.com/article_details-769.html

, PT, OCS

----- Original Message -----

rom: Wood, Kerry R.

o: PTManager <mailto:PTManager%40yahoogroups.com>

ent: Tuesday, May 31, 2011 9:21 AM

ubject: RE: Vermont: Single-payer health care provider.

A Single payer health plan in Vermont will also affect Physical Therapists

orking in facility based practices such as hospitals, SNFs, home health

gencies. All will be impacted. Vermont Medicaid reimbursement rates do not

eet costs now...we have significant concerns with a single payer model run

y the state government system, and wonder if it is truly possible. The

egislation which passed in Vermont does not address how this system will be

aid for; small and large businesses, private citizens,and hospital systems

re requesting more information and details so we can attempt to be

roactive and make somewhat informed choices...

ou are correct , we as a profession have issues now...and they shall

ecome even more challenging in the very near future!

ow is the time to become active members of your professional organizations,

evelop relationships with your state and national legislative

epresentatives, become informed, share knowledge and experience and BE

NVOLVED!

hanks

erry

Kerry R. Wood, PT, DPT

herapy Manager

AHC IP Rehab Therapies

olchester, VT 05446

02-847-3942 Fax:

ww.fletcherallen.org

Life is Precious.....LIVE IT!!

-----Original Message-----

rom: PTManager <mailto:PTManager%40yahoogroups.com>

mailto:PTManager <mailto:PTManager%40yahoogroups.com> ] On

ehalf Of jonmarkpleasant

ent: Saturday, May 28, 2011 9:46 AM

o: PTManager <mailto:PTManager%40yahoogroups.com>

ubject: Vermont: Single-payer health care provider.

Article link:

ttp://www.spokesman.com/stories/2011/may/27/again-vermont-blazes-trail/

Any guesses as to how this will impact reimbursement rates, salaries, and

he PT private practice owners?

As it relates to reimbursement of our services, I can hear it right

ow......Take it or leave it.

If you think we as a profession have issues now........Just wait!

Jon Mark Pleasant

ethodist Medical Center

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