I was incorrect in making a broad statement about MD pricing. I did so for brevity.

As things stand presently, docs still have some leeway...but that is changing (good old incrementalism.) Docs are going to have to be more and more careful about fee schedules or run an increasing risk of medicare/medicaid fraud (without ever intending to...simply because they worked something out with the patient.) What will happen eventually (and I don't think anyone needs a crystal ball to see this coming) is an increasing risk of medical insurance fraud if there are different fee schedules for different patients. There have already been cases of lawsuits as a result of pricing not being "fair." I don't think it is a huge step to think that eventually the Center for Consumer Information and Insurance Oversight will become active in this area.

To me, it seems a short step from sanctions for non-compliance to conviction for fraud...at least at the rate OCare is affecting the health care delivery and the behavior of physicians.

I'm sure Bloomberg would be delighted with total government control of health care.

"But this also assumes no government involvement "
Gov't gets in the way. That's a huge part of what AS is all about. People still do things for one another for money, even when the gov't doesn't want them to, but gov't is drain.

"may make working out any non-government approved medium of exchange illegal."
I hope not but would not be shocked. The world of stuff people do for one another under the table would expand.

"Nor can they change their prices. "
I don't know if we're technically breaking the law, but we work out pricing with our doctors the same way our clients work out pricing with our practice/business. I would be surprised to learn we're breaking the law but not too surprised.

That's why I qualified ingenuity with "Ethics"; to honestly do good, no harm and with accountability, as opposed to doing a thing because they can without knowing the consequences or worse- purposely doing harm.

People will always go out and make amazing things. Yes, and they will also find a medium of exchange. But this also assumes no government involvement which will may make working out any non-government approved medium of exchange illegal.

Think health care. You can no longer barter with your doctor. Doctors can no longer give professional courtesy or make anyone an insurance accept. Nor can they change their prices. They also can't diagnose and treat you as they see fit but must follow approved medical algorithms and prescribe medication as dictated by government approved insurance company.

This is not a time for prosperity for anyone with a chronic health condition...unless they are a moocher - prosperity is relative.

"especially "Ethical" ingenuity will out pace government and it regulatory bull crap."
I'm generally an optimist but admit technology could break either way--- toward more gov't control/abuse or more individuals making gov't irrelevant.

People go out and make amazing things for one another. You're saying they'll stop, perhaps b/c they can't find a good medium of exchange. I say people will always work out media of exchange and will make even more amazing things to meet people's wants and needs.

Funny you should suggest that...:) It's in the works.

Then let them have connecticut. It will be one of the early collapses. Go west or south. Head for the hills.

Click the link for the article gaiagal provided..
Bloomberg IS considering an independent third party run.

That depends on whether he runs as a Democrat or as a fake Republican, as Trump is doing.

I wouldn't mind seeing Bloomberg run as independent, if only because it would doom a Trump independent run.

Unfortunately, individual liberty is rapidly becoming an antiquated concept...at least in the blue state of Connecticut. Most of the residents here appear to contracted the "...for the greater good..." fever.

And not at all well for the GOP at the time.

Third party competition worked well for Bill Clinton.

Further proof the Bolshevik Bernie's mind is a snaggled up mess.
Why would any politician in his right mind encourage third party competition?
Or any competition?
I've noticed how Trump keeps encouraging competitors in his own party (uh, not that the GOP is his party) to quit the race.

Yes, balance between limited state power and limited fedgov power with both subservient to individual liberty.

Sure...why not, at this point? Is Fidel Castro available?

That is not what Bernie Sanders thinks. He is encouraging Bloomberg to run.

Exactly what I was thinking.

But it expressed so well how I feel when perusing politics!!

I have to admit, I couldn't think of anything else.

Unless you meant demonrat? :)

It's already grinding to a halt. It's living off printed money at the moment. When the rubber band snaps it will crash fast, no matter how much people do Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. We see the exterior shell of the rotted oak tree now

Great comment, Miranda!

I abhor the very idea of slavery, but I truly believe the attempt at secession was also about states rights. Wouldn't it be great if state rights had been strengthened in the mid 1800s instead of destroyed?

The difference, Dr, is that I know my vote makes no difference, ever. Even if I believed that the count is honest, which I don't, I live in a gerrymandered district. My district was drawn many years ago by the federal government in order to have a huge black majority, which wouldn't matter except most voters in my district are on welfare. Nuff said.