Romney says he would keep parts of Obamacare

[Doove]

Originally Posted by Laz

Allowing a more competitive market place will increase competition and lower prices.

Is there any evidence that 9 or 10 companies competing in a given market will lead to lower prices as compared to only 4 or 5 companies competing in that market?

[Laz]

Originally Posted by Doove

Is there any evidence that 9 or 10 companies competing in a given market will lead to lower prices as compared to only 4 or 5 companies competing in that market?

You mean other than historical examples by many different businesses. No. However it is likely to be more than 9 to 10 companies.

The thing that keeps rates high that has the most impact is policies that cover routine care. Those policies take away the normal consumers desire to get the best value and the medical companies need to compete. That is the big driver of insurance cost and Obamacare does nothing for that.

[Doove]

Originally Posted by Laz

The thing that keeps rates high that has the most impact is policies that cover routine care. Those policies take away the normal consumers desire to get the best value and the medical companies need to compete.

But if companies don't offer that when they're competing against 4 or 5 companies in, say, Nebraska, what makes you think they'll offer it when competing against 15 or 20 companies in Virginia?

[Laz]

They do offer it. That is the problem. A transition to high deductible policies with a health care savings account would do more to lower costs than anything else.

[Doove]

Originally Posted by Laz

They do offer it. That is the problem. A transition to high deductible policies with a health care savings account would do more to lower costs than anything else.

I wasn't clear. When i said "...companies don't offer that", by "that", i meant the high deductible policies that you were advocating.

[Laz]

They do offer them but they are not adopted on a wide scale and HSA's are limited. Obamacare will eliminate both HSA's and high deductible policies.

[Whirlaway]

Yes; laser eye surgery,,,,many many providers have lowered the cost of the procedures dramatically all markets....

The procedure is lightly regulated and is not a typically a "covered" insurance expense....

Proof that free markets work.

Originally Posted by Doove

Is there any evidence that 9 or 10 companies competing in a given market will lead to lower prices as compared to only 4 or 5 companies competing in that market?