UC San Francisco researcher calls for heath insurance reform

Budetti, a self-proclaimed "life-long liberal Democrat," began his speech by explaining the title of his lecture, "Systematic Dumping: Why Private Health Insurance is Running Itself Out of Business." The doctor-lawyer said that the phrase "Systematic Dumping" refers to private insurance companies' policies of risk avoidance. The second part of the title refers to the private insurance companies going out of the business of health insurance and just "selling something to someone for a lot of money." Budetti then went on to outline the weaknesses of the current health insurance system. He listed the lack of proper coverage for spouses, dependents, the retired and the unemployed as several of the flaws in the American employment-based insurance system. Budetti also criticized the government's attempts to fill the gaps in the health care system. He said that workers get laid off at age 40 or 45 and Medicare does not begin coverage until 65. The UCSF researcher condemned insurance companies for publically misrepresenting themselves, saying that there are differences between what the private insurance agency will admit in confidence "over a beer," and the company's public posture. He said that those who do not realize the inadequacies of the system have been relatively healthy all their lives. "This country's health insurance is falling apart at the seams." Throughout the speech, audience members questioned Budetti's belief that society should have to flip the bill for health care for the seriously ill. "The public side is essentially sustaining the private sector," Budetti insisted. Many of the 40 students and faculty members at the lecture said that they disagreed with what Budetti said. Wharton graduate student Link Hart said the speech was timely since the topic of health insurance is the largest sector of our economy and also the fastest growing. "Insurance reform is pretty vital," he said. "It's the hottest topic around." Health Care Systems Professor Mark Pauly said that he thought the the lecture, was "very stimulating," but he added he disagreed with part of Budetti's argument. "There is certainly a problem which needs to be fixed," he said. "I am not sure I agree with his methods."

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