1115.org

U.S. doctors warn on costly “consumer” insurance (Reuters 3/5/07):

Pediatricians in the United States on Monday warned that new high-deductible health plans risk compromising patient care, especially among poorer children, with the unintended consequence of increasing medical costs.

The new health plans are dubbed “consumer-directed” plans by supporters, because patients are responsible for more of the costs, a feature they say should encourage people to take a more active role in their medical care.

But the American Academy of Pediatrics has joined a chorus of critics that fear high deductibles in the plans will lead patients to skip preventive care, such as immunizations and annual physicals in children. That could lead to costlier treatment down the road, for example, if a patient winds up in an emergency room.

Unfortunately, in the President’s new “health care” proposal, this is a feature, not a bug. Why does the President hate poor children? And if you find yourself with the urge to answer “he doesn’t, of course,” please explain how high-deductible health plans don’t endanger the very weakest among us.