Public Utilities and Health care Reform....

[trc123]

I'm not saying that I am for or against this idea. But I recently heard an interesting comment about the health care issue and public utilities.

Currently our public utilities are run by private companies, with oversight and rules established by an independent board of commissioners.

The comment was, "Why can't we do something like that with health care?"

It is an interesting thought and possible compromise to the concerns of both sides. I haven't formulated any position and would be interested in hearing thoughts on either side of the discussion.

[John81]

The government should not be involved in health care at all and should remove themselves from their current interference in such.

[trc123]

Do you think public utilities should have the government removed from them also?

[John81]

Do you think public utilities should have the government removed from them also?

Are you speaking of the federal government or local government?

[trc123]

Local oversight, like our local telephone utility, local natural gas utility, local electricity utility, local cable utility.....etc.

They are all run by private companies, but with local and/or state oversight by separate commissions. They really aren't government commissions, but they are quasi government and private business executives appointed to the commissions. They typically make certain the particular utility is following any established laws or policies and most usually control rate hikes and costs. When the utility seeks a rate increase, the commission looks at the books, their proposal and decides. Sometimes they turn them down flat as the facts to operate the utility don't warrant the increase; most times they allow a lesser rate increase and regulate the pace of any increase to keep the consumer from being "hosed." The utilities margin of profit is moderated this way and the consumer doesn't get saddled with undo or outrages increases, etc.

[JerryNumbers]

Local oversight, like our local telephone utility, local natural gas utility, local electricity utility, local cable utility.....etc.

They are all run by private companies, but with local and/or state oversight by separate commissions. They really aren't government commissions, but they are quasi government and private business executives appointed to the commissions. They typically make certain the particular utility is following any established laws or policies and most usually control rate hikes and costs. When the utility seeks a rate increase, the commission looks at the books, their proposal and decides. Sometimes they turn them down flat as the facts to operate the utility don't warrant the increase; most times they allow a lesser rate increase and regulate the pace of any increase to keep the consumer from being "hosed." The utilities margin of profit is moderated this way and the consumer doesn't get saddled with undo or outrages increases, etc.

The only local utility we have run by the town 6 miles east of me is the Water treatment & waste water treatment plants for that city.

The electric companies are coop, they have to go to the government to get price increases, but they are not run by the government.

I do know there be some cities that have electric coops.

But usually any such thing run by the government, the cost of running will be much higher than the cost of a company on utility. Any government body will always be wasteful of money, for they're spending tax money, not their own money hard earned money, and they always know they can get more.

By the way, the government, whether its city, county, state, Federal, has no money, unless they take it from their citizens. They should stay out of their citizens pocket as much as possible, be very careful how they spend its citizens money. Of course in our modern America our Federal government has gone completely out of control spending money, this plan President Obama has will just put America that much deeper in debt.

[trc123]

The only local utility we have run by the town 6 miles east of me is the Water treatment & waste water treatment plants for that city.

The electric companies are coop, they have to go to the government to get price increases, but they are not run by the government.

I do know there be some cities that have electric coops.

But usually any such thing run by the government, the cost of running will be much higher than the cost of a company on utility. Any government body will always be wasteful of money, for they're spending tax money, not their own money hard earned money, and they always know they can get more.

By the way, the government, whether its city, county, state, Federal, has no money, unless they take it from their citizens. They should stay out of their citizens pocket as much as possible, be very careful how they spend its citizens money. Of course in our modern America our Federal government has gone completely out of control spending money, this plan President Obama has will just put America that much deeper in debt.

Yes, I forgot water and waste, but those are actually run by the local town government and not considered a public utility where we live.

"But usually any such thing run by the government, the cost of running will be much higher than the cost of a company on utility. Any government body will always be wasteful of money, for they're spending tax money, not their own money hard earned money, and they always know they can get more."

I agree, such things "run" by the government will most likely have higher costs. The public utilities I'm referring to are NOT run by the government. They are "run" by private companies and oversight is done by these commissions. The commission does not get involved in day-to-day running of the utility, they simply put the "throttle" on them to keep them from taking advantage of the customers (re: keep costs low, keep profit margin to a reasonable amount, make certain they are abiding by environmental laws, etc.).

I'm still not sold that health care could be done this way, but it is an interesting suggestion.

[pep_3000]

The reason that utility companies are run like that is because they are government granted monopolies. Or I should say, they are granted anti-trust exceptions. The reason is because it is unpractical to have competing gas, electric, and water companies in the same area. They would have to run multiple pipes or wires, and maintenance would be a huge mess. If the line burst in a area the first company would fix just their pipe and then bury the whole area to slow down their competitors, for an example. So, because they are monopolies, the government closely supervises them so they don't gauge the customers (in theory).

[JerryNumbers]

My opinion, government will mess up health care, & it will be worse than ever for most people.

[trc123]

Good point PEP.

[bzmomo7]

Local oversight, like our local telephone utility, local natural gas utility, local electricity utility, local cable utility.....etc.

They are all run by private companies, but with local and/or state oversight by separate commissions. They really aren't government commissions, but they are quasi government and private business executives appointed to the commissions. They typically make certain the particular utility is following any established laws or policies and most usually control rate hikes and costs. When the utility seeks a rate increase, the commission looks at the books, their proposal and decides. Sometimes they turn them down flat as the facts to operate the utility don't warrant the increase; most times they allow a lesser rate increase and regulate the pace of any increase to keep the consumer from being "hosed." The utilities margin of profit is moderated this way and the consumer doesn't get saddled with undo or outrages increases, etc.

"To keep the consumer from being hosed...." I think that is funny. When I look at my utility bills, the first thing I notice about all those charges is just how many are this fee and that fee (attributed to gov't control) in addition to all the taxes they charge on such!

[trc123]

Yes, that is the big drawback, the government and its taxes and fees.

[Psalms18_28]

"To keep the consumer from being hosed...." I think that is funny. When I look at my utility bills, the first thing I notice about all those charges is just how many are this fee and that fee (attributed to gov't control) in addition to all the taxes they charge on such!

I was thinking the same thing.. My bills are high but it sure did make me want to do everything I can to lower it. I think people should be responsible for their own health. I mean, I certainly do not want people abusing our health system because we pay for it. It's like paying for your kids' car and insurance and tell him he can do whatever he want, it will be all paid for. Even pay for the damages he done because he is reckless.. yes, some people are reckless with their own health and expect their doctor to fix them up over and over again. If only they would just eat healthy food, or quit smoking, or take their medication correctly, etc.

I dread the future politicians we will have if this thing get pass. What type of control will they have over our healthcare. I've seen schools being shifted around. I've seen deaf school being closed due to budget problems . They think they will better off in mainstreamed public school, just stick them to special education even though some deaf are gifted and are not wired to slow down their learning.. they just can't hear and need better communication. I can imagine politicians will convince people they will lower taxes and instead they will look at healthcare options they can eliminate or shift around. lets say a politician thinks AIDS treatments does not cure and all it does prolong people's life and spreading more AIDS (he is really prejudice against gays and fornicators but he won't tell that to anyone) so he tell doctors these treatments are not unnecessary (isn't that what national healthcare is all about? making sure we don't "overly use" treatments we don't need??? Some say we are being tested too much that is costing us too much) So he decide not to cover it anymore and use a substitute instead. Can he do that?