"ALL CAPS IN DEFENSE OF LIBERTY IS NO VICE."

Saturday, March 20, 2010

THERE'S MORE MONEY STOLEN FROM MEDICARE AND MEDICAID THAN PROFITS FOR PRIVATE HEALTH INSURERS

NO WONDER THE CHICAGO MACHINE WANTS TO EXPAND GOVERNMENT CONTROL OVER HEALTHCARE INSURANCE:

THERE'S MORE FRAUD IN MEDICARE AND MEDICAID THAN PROFITS IN PRIVATE HEALTH INSURERS:
USNEWS (2009):
Overall, the profit margin for health insurance companies was a modest 3.4 percent over the past year, according to data provided by MORNINGSTAR.

That ranks 87th out of 215 industries and slightly above the median of 2.2 percent.

By this measure, the most profitable industry over the past year has been beverages, with a 25.9 percent profit margin.

Right behind that were healthcare real-estate trusts (firms that are basically the landlords for hospitals and healthcare facilities) and application-software (think Windows).

The worst performer was copper, with a profit margin of minus 56.6 percent.

The big money, in other words, isn't in the insurance industry.
FORTUNE:
Top industries: Most profitable
Industry Rank Industry 2008 Profits
as % of
Revenues
1 Network and Other Communications Equipment 20.4
2 Internet Services and Retailing 19.4
3 Pharmaceuticals 19.3
4 Medical Products and Equipment 16.3
5 Railroads 12.6
6 Financial Data Services 11.7
7 Mining, Crude-Oil production 11.5
8 Securities 10.7
9 Oil and Gas Equipment, Services 10.2
10 Scientific, Photographic, and Control Equipment 9.9
11 Household and Personal Products 8.7
12 Utilities: Gas and Electric 8.7
13 Aerospace and Defense 7.6
14 Food Services 7.1
15 Industrial Machinery 6.9
16 Food Consumer Products 6.7
17 Electronics, Electrical Equipment 6.5
18 Commercial Banks 5.2
19 Telecommunications 5.1
20 Chemicals 5.0
21 Construction and Farm Machinery 5.0
22 Insurance: Life, Health (stock) 4.6
23 Information Technology Services 4.5
24 Computers, Office Equipment 4.3
25 Metals 3.9
26 Wholesalers: Diversified 3.5
27 Insurance: Property and Casualty (stock) 3.3
28 Specialty Retailers 3.2
29 General Merchandisers 3.2
30 Health Care: Pharmacy and Other Services 3.0
31 Packaging, Containers 3.0
32 Beverages 2.9
33 Engineering, Construction 2.7
34 Health Care: Medical Facilities 2.4
35 Health Care: Insurance and Managed Care 2.2


HOOVERS:

Using the 2002 Census Bureau Economic Census, Hoover's has generated an industry financial summary for the Accident & Health Insurance industry.

Indicator
Total

NAICS Codes
2

Establishments
4,764

Sales, receipts or shipments ($1,000)
$359,570,071

Annual Payroll ($1,000)
$23,078,845

Paid Employees
464,454
THAT'S $360 BILLION IN SALES.

  • FIGURING IT HIGH - AT 3% - THAT MEANS THEY MADE $10 BILLION.

  • THAT'S 1/10TH OF WHAT WAS STOLEN FROM MEDICARE AND MEDICAID.
NOW, TELL ME AGAIN: WHERE IS THE GREED AND INCOMPETENCE AND THE WASTE!?!?

IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR!?!?

NOPE.

IN THE GOVERNMENT.

IF WE WANT REALLY TO IMPROVE HEALTHCARE IN THIS COUNTRY, THEN LET'S START BY ENDING THE FRAUD.

WE CAN APPLY SOME OF THAT MONEY TO HELP PEOPLE BUY THEIR OWN INSURANCE.

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