Medicine and the Law of Supply and Demand

Some ways to make health coverage cheaper without Big Government. Recognize the value of increasing supply to meet demand. And be alert to how it should not be done.

One: Adding the number of patients but not adding more doctors, In fact, developing disincentives for doctors to practice family medicine, will not make medicine cheaper. You cannot legislate lower income for doctors and have more in the system.

Two: Driving out of business over 1500 competing private insurance companies with the one public health insurer that will have no competition, will not reduce costs. Have insurance companies compete over state lines, which they presently are not permitted to do.

Three: Installing rationing of benefits under the guise of “suggesting” treatments that doctors ought to give. It is not a proper way to reduce demand to meet supply.