The Big Squeeze

What happens when demand exceeds supply?

Shortages.

Now compound the problem by an artificially stimulated demand coupled with a decrease in the number of suppliers.

A perfect storm.

Massachusetts has been a favorite punching bag here at IB mostly as an example of a good idea gone bad. So why stop now?

Now Kaiser reports a new problem in Taxachusetts.

Primary care providers are abandoning ship.

In most business environments having an influx of new clients with the ability to pay is a good thing.

Not so when it comes to health care.

The 440,000 or so folks with new insurance cards (many courtesy of the taxpayer) are showing up in droves looking for health care.

But therein lies the rub.

"It's entirely reasonable for somebody who's now got insurance and maybe has a whole list of things that's worried them and troubled them" to "expect that they should be able to go out in the market and get all of that care. There just aren't enough [primary care physicians] to give it to them." She said about 1,600 people currently are on the facility's waiting list and patients must wait an average of four months to be seen.

A 4 month wait.

Wonder how many politico's anticipated that?

Or . . . those who were screaming for "universal" health care?

And don't forget this.

The cost of providing this free & subsidized care has come at an additional cost.

Higher taxes.

Who knew?