The Covert Rationing Blog

Economists on the Inevitability of Rationing

June 25th, 2007 by DrRich

DrRich has patiently explained, here and here, among other places, why rationing healthcare is not optional. We must do it, and we’re doing it right now.

But DrRich has been criticized in making such arguments on the grounds that he is not an economist. He has countered these criticisms by pointing out that the inevitability of healthcare rationing is a matter of logic and common sense rather than of pure economics. Still, just as some individuals won’t accept that it’s hot out unless Al Gore says so, others will refuse to admit we’re rationing healthcare until an honest-to-goodness economist insists this to be the case.

In point of fact, serious healthcare economists generally take the necessity of healthcare rationing as axiomatic, as a starting point. (It’s the ones with political aspirations who tend to waffle, at least publicly, on the question.) So if you still need to convince yourself that we’re rationing healthcare, here are some links you may examine:

For those of the liberal persuasion, I give you Henry Aaron, an renowned economist at the Brookings Institute. He says we can’t avoid healthcare rationing, here. He’s also written books on the subject of healthcare rationing, the latest of which can be viewed here. (Note: DrRich does not make any money if you should buy this book. As far as DrRich is concerned, get it from the library.)

Conservatives who think only liberals would push the need for healthcare rationing (the better to foist nationalized healthcare on us all) may read their hero John Goodman on healthcare rationing, here.

And for middle-of-the-roaders, here’s Charles Wheelan, author of The Naked Economist, taking the wraps off healthcare rationing and challenging presidential hopefuls who are beginning once again to pontificate on healthcare reform to tell us the truth.

For those of you who only now, by virtue of the links he has herein thoughtfully provided, have become convinced that economists from across the political spectrum agree rationing is unavoidable, DrRich says you’re welcome. To the rest he says, “Blessed are those who have not followed the links, and yet have believed.”

Posted in General Rationing Issues

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