Greece privatizing health care - New England Patriots Forums

khayos · 05-06-2010, 06:22 PM

As part of the bailout plan, Greece has to privatize health care. Personally, I see Greece as the worst case scenario for the US. Very interesting.

"Another reform high on the list is removing the state from the marketplace in crucial sectors like health care, transportation and energy and allowing private investment."

Plan to Rescue Greek Economy Appears Near - NYTimes.com

***patsfan13*** · 05-06-2010, 06:27 PM

Actually Greece is our future if we don't change from Obamanomics to the Tea PArty approach of smaller government.

***apple strudel*** · 05-06-2010, 07:56 PM

I would not be surprised if this came as a condition of the bailout. It's not a cause, it's an effect. The IMF has a long history of doing this that is well documented for any interested party to look into. Money comes with strings attached.

PatriotsReign · 05-07-2010, 06:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by apple strudel

I would not be surprised if this came as a condition of the bailout. It's not a cause, it's an effect. The IMF has a long history of doing this that is well documented for any interested party to look into. Money comes with strings attached.

You've received another well-deserved warning from....PR!!

Questions: Since most all countries (including the US) now have a national HC plan, which country(s) would want Greece to privatize their HC and for what motives?

***apple strudel*** · 05-07-2010, 07:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PatriotsReign

You've received another well-deserved warning from....PR!!

Questions: Since most all countries (including the US) now have a national HC plan, which country(s) would want Greece to privatize their HC and for what motives?

This is not based in facts, it is only speculation, but I suspect that German corporate giant Siemens, which has broad reach in the health care market, would benefit greatly from not having to negotiate with the state on pricing, much in the same way big pharma does not want to negotiate with governments.

That is just one example, I'm sure there are many others.

***apple strudel*** · 05-07-2010, 07:59 AM

Here are two god examples of how the IMF and the world bank push the privatization of water supplies (there's huge money there).

World Bank, IMF: Privatize Water Utilities : NPR
Water Privatization:

Here's a broader look at the issue.

Quote:

Well over a trillion dollars worth of state-owned firms have been privatized by governments all around the world since 1980. Economists argue that privatization increases efficiency by placing decisions in the hands of markets rather than public officials. The IMF is sufficiently enamored of privatization that it has included for more than a decade stipulations about the sale of state-owned assets as condition for the receipt of its loans.

Of course we now know that privatization tends to lead to higher prices, less service, but huge profits. It's clearly about amassing wealth.

Quote:

The evidence that privatization directly increases efficiency, however, is not nearly so clear as most economists would have us believe. Moreover, the IMF has been roundly criticized for imposing unrealistic and unhelpful policy straitjackets on developing countries in economic – and often political – distress.

Privatization and the IMF: IMF's Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval Wins Favor with Investors, UCLA International Institute

PatriotsReign · 05-07-2010, 02:02 PM

Are you against "Codex" laws being implimented in the US?

Quote:

Originally Posted by apple strudel

Here are two god examples of how the IMF and the world bank push the privatization of water supplies (there's huge money there).

World Bank, IMF: Privatize Water Utilities : NPR
Water Privatization:

Here's a broader look at the issue. Of course we now know that privatization tends to lead to higher prices, less service, but huge profits. It's clearly about amassing wealth.

Privatization and the IMF: IMF's Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval Wins Favor with Investors, UCLA International Institute

***apple strudel*** · 05-07-2010, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PatriotsReign

Are you against "Codex" laws being implimented in the US?

I don't know what codex laws are.

PatriotsReign · 05-07-2010, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by apple strudel

I don't know what codex laws are.

CODEX Alimentarius trade agreement of the World Trade Organization basically outlaws the sale of all vitamin and nutrtion products that contain anything greater than the MDR from over the counter sales. It would basically hand over the supplement industry to big pharma and doctors.

Here's a couple of links if you're interested...

Fred Flinstone Vitamins Illegal? - Broowaha

Codex won't affect US law, say associations

Codex Alimentarius - the REAL threat to World health

***apple strudel*** · 05-07-2010, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PatriotsReign

CODEX Alimentarius trade agreement of the World Trade Organization basically outlaws the sale of all vitamin and nutrtion products that contain anything greater than the MDR from over the counter sales. It would basically hand over the supplement industry to big pharma and doctors.

Here's a couple of links if you're interested...

Fred Flinstone Vitamins Illegal? - Broowaha

Codex won't affect US law, say associations

Codex Alimentarius - the REAL threat to World health

On the surface it sounds like a pretty bad idea. It's not like there's a real problem with taking more than the MDR that I'm aware of. Sounds like a money grab.