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5 comments

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  • mag00
    That nasty competition and free market can sure put a wrinkle in Communism.
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  • US Military Guy
    quote:Originally posted by mag00
    That nasty competition and free market can sure put a wrinkle in Communism.


    Don't worry.

    The government and its laws is doing the best it can to smooth out any wrinkles - and eliminate the competition and free market. [:(!]
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  • mogley98
    When SC DHEC suspended the CON law a few years ago a few of the physicians I work with jumped into the construction of a Surgery Center. Then the law was reenacted and they had to wait three years to open.

    The funny thing is HCA abhors the CON when it impacts them and uses it to their full advantage when a competitor wants a facility.

    Best thing for the consumer is to let them fail or not.
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  • mogley98
    CON is in theory used more to prevent duplication of services at least here in SC. Regulatory compliance and reputation of the entity isn't a CON issue here. Getting CMS, DHEC license would fall more into that category of review. CON is preventing competitors from opening facilities that would probably bring the cost of healthcare done.

    When a imaging center or hospital can prevent competition by showing a lack of "need" they remain protected to charge the ridiculous rates they do now.

    Example when I worked for Trident Hospital we were sent off site by our own insurance because it was cheaper LOL.

    Hospitals can't or won't do MRI's with competitive pricing in patients are held hostage, out patients should be allowed options.



    quote:Originally posted by Barzillia
    Yep, if I could wave a magic wand the first thing I would do is at least modify CON laws.

    But CON laws also provide a burden of responsible review of potential providers, that allow state governments to refuse a provider based upon their past history.

    Kind of like a driver's license.

    And I think that is a valuable service.
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  • mogley98
    LOL I don't need to.

    Actually you might want to read this statement from SC

    The purposes of CON are to:
    #9642; promote health care cost containment;
    #9642; prevent unnecessary duplication of health care facilities and services;
    #9642; guide the establishment of health facilities and services that will best serve public needs; and
    #9642; ensure that high quality services are provided in health facilities in South Carolina.

    Now you could argue that the last bullet point identifies the WHO in the CON process, but to my knowledge not one CON application has been denied due to the character of the entity attempting to open it.

    EXCEPT ....
    CON HELPS SAFEGUARD QUALITY OF HEALTH CARE SERVICES
    CON helps maintain service quality by limiting the number of locations in which specialized and high risk medical
    procedures may be performed. CON encourages the development of specialized regional health care services,
    which leads to more cases per provider, better treatment outcomes (e.g., lower mortality), more cost-effectiveness,
    and the development of more comprehensive and capable service programs.

    So once again not once did the State indicate the purpose of the CON program is to prevent a bad character from opening a facility even when describing the safety and quality of care.

    SC also lists the reasons why it needs a CON program in the following quote
    "WHY SOUTH CAROLINA NEEDS A STRONG CON PROGRAM"

    Additionally, it is provided in a highly regulated and controlled environment that is not consistent with a free
    market. As a result, the presumed beneficial effects of competition are not achievable in the health care system
    unless the following barriers to a ?free market? are removed:
    #9642; the requirement that hospitals must provide care in all urgent and emergent circumstances regardless of the
    patients? ability to pay for those services;
    #9642; legislatively mandated health care services;
    #9642; legislatively mandated health insurance benefits;
    #9642; third party payer influence in provider and service selection;
    #9642; mandated payment rates for services provided to Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries;
    and
    #9642; physician control of services received by patients.
    Unless these barriers are removed or changed, community-based planning, licensure and CON regulation will be
    needed to ensure that services will be available to meet the needs of South Carolina?s citizens.

    See not one reason listed as to prevent a bad character from opening a healthcare facility so back to my original and correct response.

    Dude stop wasting tax payers money and time trying to prove you are right!
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