hprinze Loc: Central Florida

Within about a 30 mile radius of my home, three hispitals are heavy in advertising; TV, newspapers, billboards, etc.

That seems really silly to me. They can't create a desire for their services. But then I realize they are all government owned hospitals and must always be alert for more opportunities to spend money.

bobgssc

Hprinze, with Obamacare in action, all hospitals are essentially becoming "government owned". I asked why my physical therapy center was so packed since the beginning of the year and was told that with the new reimbursement rates for patients under the ACA, they have to stay constantly overbooked in order to keep the doors open. Obviously, they were planning for the future, they didn't immediately all existing insurance contracts, but many will be reduced. We will see much more healthcare advertising in the future.

Kevyn

How on earth are all hospitals becoming government owned? The ACA is basically a change in regulations governing health care delivery. What will it take to get it through the thick skulls of the naysayers that the government is not and has no intention of owning hospitals. Other than the VA and military hospitals the government has no, that is right absolutely no ownership in the health care industry. Is your argument against the ACA so flawed that you need to rely on outright lies to support your opinion?

bobgssc

Kevyn, I can't speak for everyone but when I said "essentially becoming government owned", I meant that they are owned by the government in the sense that the ACA now controls the rates of reimbursement to what were once free state centers. They could set their rates (regardless of how unrealistic) and you could choose not to use them. That is all I meant, but again, I can't speak for anyone else. Sorry if that makes my skull thick.

UncleJesse Loc: Hazzard Co, GA

If government laws and regulation is the same as ownership then everything except ebay and garage sales are owned by the government. National and State defense, State and Local police are the only government owned industries I am aware of. Regulation is pretty thick in Utilities and Aviation but all other industries are regulated in one way or another. The State or Local government regulates contractors doing residential work but I wouldn't say that they're owned by the government. The same goes for hospitals - they have to obey the law but they don't work for the government. They work for the board of directors and stock holders.

UncleJesse Loc: Hazzard Co, GA

No government is forcing anyone ... if you don't want to go to a network hospital under your insurance plan, you are free to pay the out-of-network costs to do so. The same for doctors. If there is a doctor you like but isn't part of the insurance policy as a "preferred provider", you have the right to go to them anyhow and pay what ever they charge. The same for prescriptions. You don't have to follow the regulated insurance policy and can purchase those not covered by the plan out of pocket (if you have a Rx). Most folks don't have the financial luxury to deviate from the regulated insurance policy but there is no law preventing you from doing so.