In Theory, Monkeys Could Fly Out of My ButtEzra Klein speculates on
potential deficit savings from Obamacare:
There's the theory that comparative effectiveness review -- particularly when combined with a new IT infrastructure that could eventually help guide physician decisions -- will cut down on unnecessary treatments and allow us to bring high-spending regions of the country into sync with their low-spending brethren.
I like the comeback of one of his commenters:
Your argument is basically, "But he didn't even address the salient impact of unicorn dust and pixie wings".
I've heard all about the promise of technlogy and computerization saving money in health care not for years but for decades. The problem is that any savings on individual procedures immediately gets subsumed by additional demand. Nobody says, "Wow, fewer C-Sections, let's pocket the savings and lower the cost of care." Instead it gets turned into meeting improved access or broader services.
Labels: Ezra Klein, Obamacare
