Gas tax alternative

[Don1]

and keep some people out of the hospital?

Can't we cut the waste without the fees?

i said elsewhere in the thread that no one should be denied access because of inability to pay... via a means testing mechanism.

on the other hand total freeness introduces the moral hazard of waste... that's just human nature not to value something 100% free.

[Assasin]

the destittute just stay away.

Nobody should have to go banckrupt to pay hospital bill.

[Assasin]

and keep some people out of the hospital?

Can't we cut the waste without the fees?

[Muadib]

sell mi a $500 Bfree...

LOL !

[Don1]

Dont forget that subsidy system have admin costs that eat away at the benefits. Free for all does not have that and is more "efficient" in that sense. In this case, logistics is what is causing the differntiation. Those who can pay are usually those who value their time more and will opt out of the public system, de facto creating the people subsidy system you prefer.

Anybody with the slightest amount of discretionary income or health insurance will bypass the long wait (and relative indignity) in the public system. Those who cant are still guaranteed at least the minimal amount of health care.

Health care is similar to education in terms of public good. No matter how rich you are, you cant insulate yourself against an unhelathy population. If you helper has TB, then you and yuh faumbilly is at risk. I dont care how many billions you have, unless yuh gonna lock up yourself like Hoawrd Hughes and even that is not foolproof!

Willi the point of introducing fees is not only to subsidize costs.

It also reduces the moral hazard of unnecessary, wasteful usage of the service.

[Don1]

You mentioned 'operating a business' in Jamaica... What sector is it in ?

telecom.. thanks for the concern.

[Don1]

Not all, plus at that low level the admin costs will eat up the $100.

If it must be modified, I would rather people register for exemptions due to proven hardship and get an exception ID (also for Kids under 12). Everybody else could pay say $300 or more in user fees.

My point is that people should pay something. If there has to be a sliding scale of payments based on some objective means testing...fine.

The destitute should not be denied services due to inability to pay user fees.

[Assasin]

The question is not if we should have free healthcare but how to make it BETTER, in my book and as Floyd Morris said perfectly, with or without free healthcare we have problems in the system. We can solve it and make it work more effecient.

[Willi]

Dont forget that subsidy system have admin costs that eat away at the benefits. Free for all does not have that and is more "efficient" in that sense. In this case, logistics is what is causing the differntiation. Those who can pay are usually those who value their time more and will opt out of the public system, de facto creating the people subsidy system you prefer.

Anybody with the slightest amount of discretionary income or health insurance will bypass the long wait (and relative indignity) in the public system. Those who cant are still guaranteed at least the minimal amount of health care.

Health care is similar to education in terms of public good. No matter how rich you are, you cant insulate yourself against an unhelathy population. If you helper has TB, then you and yuh faumbilly is at risk. I dont care how many billions you have, unless yuh gonna lock up yourself like Hoawrd Hughes and even that is not foolproof!

[Muadib]

You mentioned 'operating a business' in Jamaica... What sector is it in ?

[Assasin]

The problem is that there are many people who as Brickie say you think a middle class but they are one doctor fee away from been broke. I spoke a few people and one couple who is very ill told me straight up "if it wasn't for free healthcare they would be dead". they are retirees, drive a car and have a decent house. One thing with the fee that was before is that different proceedure have different fees. So if you had big operations you would be left holding a big bag of fees pretty much like the American system.

[Islandman]

That is the kind of system I prefer. Subsidise people, not services.

If some part of the population cannot afford food, you give them food stamps, you don't make flour free for everybody!

[Willi]

Not all, plus at that low level the admin costs will eat up the $100.

If it must be modified, I would rather people register for exemptions due to proven hardship and get an exception ID (also for Kids under 12). Everybody else could pay say $300 or more in user fees.

[Don1]

Many cant pay Don. The overwhelming surge of new users is proof of that. No one with means would willingly join those long lines.

Agree somewhat but.. people can find JA$100 fi guh docta... No?

[Don1]

agree with you on that.

I'm honoured, pleased and frankly... flabbergasted!