Peru Shames USA with Universal Healthcare--Today's SinglePayer Update

Peru is one of the poorest nations in the hemisphere, but they have just put America to shame by figuring out how to get SinglePayer healthcare to all their citizens.  What’s our problem again?  We don’t have the money, the will, what?  Meanwhile on Capitol Hill, Congressman Pete Stark is holding the first of what we hope will be many hearings on how health insurance corporations are ripping off America, while health industry executives admit they waste thirty percent of care dollars on patients care—and provide us with the laugher of the day.

***

So, now Peru joins the list of nations with SinglePayer healthcare:

{President Alan} Garcia explained the objective of this decree is to combine Peru’s health care systems - the public hospitals of the Health Ministry (Minsa), the Social Health Insurance hospitals (Essalud) and the hospitals of the Armed Forces and the National Police - into one unique system that will take care of all Peruvians, insured or not, whether they are military or police members, or civilians….Peru’s health minister Carlos Vallejos described yesterday as an historical day. “We are opening a new chapter in the history of Peru’s public health system.” </blockquote>

Here’s how it works:

The {bill} would facilitate that people in Peru’s poverty-stricken regions, where most people don’t have any health insurance, will soon be covered for free or a small monthly fee. People with no income are subsidized 100% by the state. In addition, those who make less than S/. 700 soles ($220) per month would only have to pay S/. 10.00 for SIS coverage. People earning between S/. 700 and S/. 1,000 would have to pay S/. 20,000 monthly for medical coverage.

Hmm, so a mix of public and private doctors and hospitals are paid from a national, non-profit health insurance pool, with assistance for the poorest individuals.  How utterly humane.

On behalf of the people of America, I hereby ask the nation of Peru to send us a delegation of technical advisors to teach us how to improve our health system and provide health care for all people.

Meanwhile, on Capitol Hill, Congressman Pete Stark is holding the first of what I hope will be many, many hearings and investigations into the bad acts committed by insurance corporations.  First, he looks at how some companies are ripping off Medicare:

"Managed care plans originally came into Medicare saying they could do more for less," Stark said. "Now that they're in the program, they have changed their tune and are demanding we continue to overpay them to provide their services. That makes no sense."

While many major insurance companies participate in Medicare Advantage, the privately-run component of the government health plan for seniors, Louisville, Ky.-based Humana Inc. makes nearly half its earnings through the program, according to Prudential Equity Group. By comparison, competitors Aetna Inc. and UnitedHealth Inc. make just 3 percent and 13 percent, respectively, of their profits through their Medicare Advantage plans. </blockquote>

You may recall that these companies charge 11% more that traditional Medicare for providing basically the same services; the extra amount covers their administrative overhead, marketing, profits, and political contributions.  Maybe their parties on the dime of the American patient are coming to an end?

The controversy over Medicare Advantage is getting attention on Wall Street. Earlier this month Jefferies & Co. analyst Brian Wright downgraded Humana Inc. and WellCare Health Plans Inc. to "hold" from "buy," saying negative scrutiny from Congress could hurt growth for both companies. Prudential analyst David Shove recommended that "investors stay away from heavy Medicare Advantage contractors like Humana and stick with heavy commercial players like Cigna."

Meanwhile, a very interesting study of insurance and hospital executives came out.  They flat out admit:

Administration associated with health care claims and billing accounts for nearly one out of every three dollars that patients spend on health care, according to a nationwide survey of executives from hospitals and insurance companies.

But note:

In contrast, more than three-quarters (76 percent) of the U.S. consumers surveyed said they think that health care administration should account for just 10 percent or less of total health care costs, with a large majority indicating they would be "highly upset" if those administrative costs were as high as 30 percent.

The insurance industry maintains their power with lies, propaganda, and spin.  That’s why Pete Stark and every one of us needs to unmask them!  More depressing findings:

Hospital executives reported that one in five claims submitted, on average, is delayed or denied and 96 percent of all claims must be submitted more than once...Nearly a quarter of consumers reported having had a legitimate claim denied by their health plan; one in five ultimately paid the claim out of their own pocket....When asked where the cost savings would be applied, the area most often cited by hospital executives was "reinvested in improving patient care."

I agree with them there.  Let’s get rid of all that administrative waste, and re-invest it in improving patient care, by moving to a SinglePayer healthcare system.

Finally, the insurance industry is kind enough to provide us with the laugher of the day, from one Karen Ignani, President of America’s Health Insurance Plans:

"Health insurers are committed to improving health care choices for small businesses and bringing costs under control for all Americans."

Do you think she actually believe that line????  Let me know.

Comments

[Julacho]

Here you go:

http://www.minsa.gob.pe/portal/

http://www.ins.gob.pe/gxpsites/hgxpp001.aspx?2

If you do not how to read Castellano, please learn, do not keep your brain as a monolingual entity.
All the information that you need is there.
We are talking about Peru a 3rd world country, compare your self(USA) to Canada,Europe, Japan, Australia, New Zea land, countries that per capita are your equal, hope you Americans enjoy your job, or maybe you are one of the ones that do not leave an ugly job because the health insurance(interesting for the land of the freedom. I can not understand how Americans are so brain washed calling BENEFIST what is suppose to be your human rights such as universal health care, vacations(1 month a year), maternity leave(4 months paid) all this is Peruvian data, you all can do it easily you Americans can do it, in the other rich countries they get 12 months maternity leave PAID and 1 month vacations paid too.
Guys when the USA was created is was fro the people by the people to the people, I did not read anywhere that says for the corporations, to the corporations BY the corporations. hahaha is very funny how tolerant you guys are towards the monstrously rich.
England is the most capitalistic country in the world , colder than them you don't get anywhere, they do have Universal Heath care and cool universal benefits, SOCIALISM is not an insult or the Soviet Union stop buying that silly concept, oh men you are so socialist like you are a Rusky.Communist and socialist are soooooo diferent.
CHINA IS COMMUNIST and the education and health care are private as is in America with health and will be in education with the famous charter school, wake up America please wake up, the world needs you to lead again the Free world , the corporations have you in drugs.
Have you all a good day, remember "for to by THE PEOPLE"

[RIck Heilman]

My guess is you have never been to Peru and have only read the press releases. I have lived there for 4 years. No one wants to go to Es Salud. I can't imagine Americans sitting for days (not hours) in a waiting room to see a doctor. And then what qualifications does the doctor have. We went to a pediatrician that couldn't tell if our daughter had tubes in her ears even after we told him that our daughter has tubes. The Peruvians we know from a wide variety of economic backgrounds do not praise their health care system. The doctors are constantly on strike because of lack of pay and poor working conditions. Regularly thousands of dollars of counterfeit drugs are being discovered and disposed of. Is this what you want for America. I know I don't. See you in line!

[RIck Heilman]

My guess is you have never been to Peru and have only read the press releases. I have lived there for 4 years. No one wants to go to Es Salud. I can't imagine Americans sitting for days (not hours) in a waiting room to see a doctor. And then what qualifications does the doctor have. We went to a pediatrician that couldn't tell if our daughter had tubes in her ears even after we told him that our daughter has tubes. The Peruvians we know from a wide variety of economic backgrounds do not praise their health care system. The doctors are constantly on strike because of lack of pay and poor working conditions. Regularly thousands of dollars of counterfeit drugs are being discovered and disposed of. Is this what you want for America. I know I don't. See you in line!

[Julacho]

The idea is that "Americans" should compare them selves to other humans in the development stage such us Canadians, Australians, Europeans, Japanese. There is not way for a US citizen to compare to a Mexican or Peruvian, those countries are far behind.
I live in Peru for 28 years and I used Essalud at least 20 times, luckily I am healthy.
Since you never lived in Peru you really do not understand how the Peruvian health care used to work, Peru had 3 system, Essalud, Minsa and Military, the doctors that used to strike are the ones from Minsa which is the subsidize government plan for the poor, those doctors make really little money if you compare with the Essalud and Military doctors, The military system was managed by the army, navy and air force, and ESALUD is pay by 3% of a worker salary who is leaglly working. The simple idea was to unify the 3 systems in one, that is why we have now Universal Health care.
I would like to ask you to think how was the Health care in England when it was created after the 2nd world war...nice you got...it was BAD, really bad, England was broken so the services were the worse, England developed back and now their system is better than your elitist health care system for the people who can afford it, and even if you can afford ti the private insurance can deny to pay if they want to.
Pre existing conditions and deny attention DOES NOT EXIST IN THE POOR PERU and the developed world.
Of course you have waiting lines in Peru, HELLO...is a 3rd world country. Do you really understand the concept of Universal Health care?? is your Medicare for 100% of the people as simple as that.
Please star using your brain and fix your miserable system, you leave your people down to die for your ridiculous way of selfish thinking that you wont pay for the poor. WELL GUESS WHAT YOU PAY WAY MUCH MORE MONEY TO THE CORPORATIONS than a European or Canadian pay to their government to have UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE...DID YOU KNOW THAT? crash the numbers and you will see... an avrage American family ends paying more than 600 bucks a month, A European family 300 and an Cnadian 280 bucks...WHO IS THE SMARTY WITH MONEY? you the selfish who waste it's money in the corporate pockest or the canuck who pay less and have UNIVERSAL HELATH CARE?? wake up smarty, WAKE UP, the world needs the US citizens from the 60s and 70s those great generations that changed the world, not the lazy brains that we have today, playing nintendo and watching cable on their flat screen tvs.
We the world need you Americans, we need you all awake.

[Julacho]

President Garcia: Law on Health Insurance marks major reform

http://www.andina.com.pe/Ingles/Noticia.aspx?id=rsbFfAZYpMU=

Lima, Apr. 08 (ANDINA).- President Alan Garcia said on Wednesday that the implementation of the new Law on Health Insurance marks a major reform that will enable all Peruvians to “timely access to quality health services” regardless of their economic status.

President Garcia noted that this health insurance program will be implemented in the Andean departments of Apurimac, Huancavelica and Ayacucho in its first phase, and will cover up to 85% of all risks of diseases that may affect the population.

He stated these departments are emblematic because they represent a long battle for development, social justice and povery erradication.

He mentioned the program will include localities of Sánchez Carrión in La Libertad; Salas in Lambayeque; Bajo Piura in Piura and Bajo Huallaga in San Martín.”

The Peruvian leader said the program implies that 2063 health centers throughout the country, including Health Ministry, EsSalud and Armed Forces hospitals, will treat patients in a concerted and collaborative way.

In a ceremony held at the Honor Courtyard of the Government Palace, Garcia added that all state institutions are joining forces to give their best efforts to the service of the people, regardless of their socioeconomic status.

(END) FPQ/EEP/LVT

[Julacho]

Law on Health Insurance published today
http://www.andina.com.pe/Ingles/Noticia.aspx?id=mSOVQJu0hxY=

Lima, Apr. 09 (ANDINA).- The Government of Peru published today the Law on Health Insurance to enable all Peruvians to access quality health services, and contribute to regulate the financing and supervision of these services.

President Alan Garcia enacted the law last night saying that its implementation marks a major reform that will enable all Peruvians to “timely access quality health services” regardless of their economic status.

The law enables all population to access diverse health services to prevent illnesses, and promote and rehabilitate people, under a Health Basic Plan (PEAS).

This health insurance program will be implemented in the Andean departments of Apurimac, Huancavelica and Ayacucho in its first phase, and will cover up to 85% of all risks of diseases that may affect the population.

These departments are emblematic because they represent a long battle for development, social justice and povery erradication.

The program will also include localities of Sánchez Carrión in La Libertad; Salas in Lambayeque; Bajo Piura in Piura and Bajo Huallaga in San Martín.”