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1. Scott M. | March 8, 2013 at 12:53 pm

   Another example of efficient free-market capitalism or an example of “death panels”?
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   http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/03/06/us-usa-cancer-ctca-idUSBRE9250L820130306
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   ….Vicky Hilborn never got another appointment with CTCA. She died on September 6, 2009, at age 48.
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   CTCA is not unique in turning away patients. A lot of doctors, hospitals and other healthcare providers in the United States decline to treat people who can’t pay, or have inadequate insurance, among other reasons. What sets CTCA apart is that rejecting certain patients and, even more, culling some of its patients from its survival data lets the company tout in ads and post on its website patient outcomes that look dramatically better than they would if the company treated all comers. These are the rosy survival numbers that attract people like the Hilborns.
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   …..Cancer Treatment Centers of America, which estimates it treats 4 percent to 8 percent of U.S. patients with complex and late-stage cancer, was founded in 1988 by Richard J. Stephenson, who has served as chairman ever since.
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   Stephenson, who declined to comment for this article, serves on the board of FreedomWorks, a non-profit group that advocates for small government and low taxes, and he is “very much a free-market guy,” CTCA President and Chief Executive Stephen Bonner told Reuters.
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   more…
2. Herb | March 8, 2013 at 1:14 pm

   Scott,
   I think a solution to this would be to not tax any corp such as this, but they must commit to a certain amount of pro bono. I betcha big brother would never go for that because they wouldnt have any revenue coming in for pet projects. Then that would make big brother look sick.
3. 89Hoo | March 8, 2013 at 1:36 pm

   The medical industry is one of the most heavily regulated industries anywhere, Scott, and is not a free market, not at all. The medical market is an example of croney capitalism, which is to the free market as European football (soccer) is to American football. Similar name, completely different game.
4. Will | March 8, 2013 at 2:21 pm

   Did anyone happen to read the article in Time Magazine entitled “Bitter Pill: Why Medical Bills Are Killing Us”

   I found it to be quite enlightening and it served to confirm what I’ve been saying for the past 15 years.

   Give it a read.
5. Scott M. | March 9, 2013 at 11:41 am

   @3 89Hoo, you say, “The medical industry is one of the most heavily regulated industries anywhere, Scott, and is not a free market, not at all.”
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   That may be true in general but in this particular example, this is precisely a free-market.
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   The provider chose not to take this patient because it will effect their numbers which means their advertising will look worse and decrease their revenues. The patient sought out the provider because she had options, a market if you will. This wasn’t a government limiting her to a mandated provider, and the provider wasn’t forced to accept her or her insurance.
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   It was a cold, calculated business decision based on this lady’s probable outcome and how it would effect their future revenues.
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   This is a great example of introducing markets and capitalism into health care. I realize you don’t like the results because it makes your ideology look bad. But the first step to healing is admitting you have a problem.