The sad result of the public option is that people don't appreciate that the invisible hand of the market will lead to a two tiered health care system.

Consider the fact that medicare reimburses below cost for most procedures. Commercial payors reimburse ABOVE cost. However many people are dumped from commercial plans into a public plan, there is a negative mix shift for the hospitals. Without any commercial patients, most hospitals will be bankrupt.

The managed care companies income statements don't have alot of fixed costs in them, they can lose 1/2 of their members, fire 1/2 of their sales reps, admin, etc and they will still make money. THEY HAVE BILLIONS of dollars on their balance sheets. Hospitals are in...

Another great piece. We need folks like you to teach the history that many never learn.