need to add title here

Rooney On Health Care

October 25, 2009 5:00 PM

Andy Rooney weighs in on the health care debate.

Recent Segments
Scroll Left Scroll Right
Add a Comment See all 55 Comments
by SAFETYHOOD November 14, 2009 8:40 PM EST
Here is the reality - I am an American Citizen living in Guangzhou China now for the past 6 years and at 59 years of age will retire here rather anywhere close to the USA. Recently, I went in ( 2007 ) for Kidney Surgery here in China at the People Hospital - government run facility - I had MRI's - CT Scans - B&W & Color Ultrasounds - X-rays - I had the works so to speak - Had a 3 hour surgery using micro technology and the surgery was a success - stayed in a VIP Room so my Wife ( also Chinese ) could be there with me caring for me. Nurses were in every hour or even 30 minutes checking o9n me. I had 5 I V's for the first 3 days - 3 I V's for the next 6 days and with all of my meals - medicine and oh by the way I had to pay to park my car at the hospital as parking is at a premium. Wel when I had to pay the Bill to leave the Hospital I was amazed - Oh Yes ! I had No Insurance - NONE! and My Bill came to US$1,500.00 - that's right ONLY US$1,500.00 The equipment they used is exactly the same as in the USA and the rest of the World - Just yesterday My step-daughter ( 13 years of age ) went into the Hospital for an H1N1 Shot and 3 other types of medicine for her flu and fever - With the Shot - and the Medicine and the Doctors visit - the total bill came to be less than US$6.00. Get a Life USA - The System is broken and unless the Government takes total control of the system - it will remain broken and Americans will suffer.
Reply to this comment
by Skeetrap November 10, 2009 4:28 PM EST
I saw the 60 Minutes segment on Medacaid Fraud.

Health Care Fraud, Waste and Abuse is out of control. The Government promotes a pay and chase model that does not work.


You should consider reporting on the Health Care Fraud, Waste and Abuse solution being championed by the Government?s prestigious Oak Ridge National Laboratory, in Oak Ridge Tenn. Someone needs to see what these folks are promoting.


Love the show.
Tom Basile
Gaithersburg, MD
Reply to this comment
by Quinona November 8, 2009 10:38 PM EST
As a pharmacist in a not-profit hospital I found myself crediting a patient's account for $736.00 for a unused inhaler that costs the company $65.00 to purchase from the wholesaler.

We used to receive an annual Red Book listing average wholesale drug prices and manufacturer suggested retail prices. When precedents for keeping monopolies in check were lifted, most businesses joined 'buying groups' offering group discount pricing depending on the organizations' drug usage patterns.

Other factors that promote milking the system include obvious incentives to artificially increase the bills for those not paying cash, such as Medicare contract sweetheart deals with drug manufacturers available for reimbursement to facilities that deal with a lot of patients using Medicare benefits to State financial incentives with Medicaid.

Hospitals are required to not turn any patient away based on financial status, so we see the mother on welfare with a risky pregnancy yet again the fifth child by a different father, or a woman to deliver in her last week who's never seen anyone for prenatal care and miscarriage is threatened, and then there's the young mother on Welfare or Medicaid with a leg cancer that refuses to use birth control so in two years after 4 rounds of chemotherapy and radiation picked up the State and other resources, her unplanned pregnancy results in birth of a child with multiple handicaps and congenital birth defects whose care ultimately will be covered by Welfare from Medicaid, or the pediatric patient who doesn't have any form of health insurance that is taken to the Emergency Room triage for a respiratory ailment requiring admission as an in-patient and treatment for pneumonia, and whose bills for hospital equipment, room, labs, tests, respiratory evaluation, monitoring and treatment, never mind the diagnostician and drugs, will not be paid by the patient, but by State Medicaid funds for reimbursement to the hospital at a fraction of the charges for other patients with insurance. It was explained to me when I started my career that a lot of the time, pharmacy provides a tangible evidence of care and treatment, and though its price was nominal it could be flexed a bit based on what Medicare would pay for it. Depending on the practice, physicians may or may not receive a fair compensation for what they do, and what their business needs to stay afloat. We've long heard about the exhorbitant costs of doing business as physician from supportive personnel in the practice, liability insurance, etc.

Ultimately, it starts out with inflated costs to cover for uninsured expenses (patients without insurance), to inflating prices, to fuel inflated expectations. Business monopolies in drug manufacturing, pharmacy, health care benefit management organizations, and the financial strength of health industry currency--involvement in ubiquitous health insurance policies. Wal-mart can get away with undercutting drug costs only so long before it forces other drugstore chains out of business, just because they have the capability from their vast resources to do business and purchase drugs at lower rates than other drug stores. Many independent pharmacies quietly folded up and went out of business when despite financial incentives for patients with Medicare Part D benefit to shop at a Mom-n-Pop, the independent could not run based on the piddling reimbursement that Medicare could get away with paying the bills.

This convolution only becomes more entangled and snarled in discussion of any of the aspects of the industry. That is why as a pharmacist, I'm inclined to throw the whole lot in the fire and start over with suggesting reform that in essence evens out costs so that patients are not almost randomly, and unpredictably gouged. As a licensed healthcare professional going back for additional schooling to broaden scope of practice, I also don't feel really glad knowing my work efforts don't translate into added benefit. Pharmacists graduating nowadays are tens of thousands of dollars in debt, It's irritating to know my wage as a more experienced pharmacist is not commensurate with the untried new grad because they are still paying off the college loans and debt.
Reply to this comment
by OlatheRuf November 6, 2009 11:11 AM EST
Perhaps instead of the overhauling the health care industry we should overhaul the journalism industry to reduce the incidence of irresponsible and inaccurate blanket generalizations and indictments such as Mr. Rooney's assertion that "everyone cheats" including presumably all "companies, hospitals patients, doctors" etc. in his piece on health care.

But then, maybe we should expect nothing less from the left wing liberal media including Andy Rooney and 60 Minutes.

Oh the Hypocrisy!!
Reply to this comment
by averal November 4, 2009 10:57 PM EST
I thought Mr. Rooney's comments were valid and to the point. I see a great many objecting to his showing his bill, citing the difference between what is charged and what is paid. Actually that is another reason for change. The system has become so convoluted that nobody really knows what the value of anything is anymore.

I have seen it reported that the same exact procedure (colonoscopy) in the same exact hospital ranges anywhere from $450.00 to nearly $5,000 depending on what the insurance is. This makes no sense. Just for fun, try calling your hospital to see what a colonoscopy costs? Good luck.
How can any business exist that won't disclose or justify their prices?
Having a doctor come in and making small talk should not be a billable event. Happens all the time. (Sometimes the doctors charge for the visit and don't even come in the door). How is this justified? Mr. Rooney's point was that the system is overpriced and does not make sense. I believe he is correct in that assessment. Instead of objecting to his methods, why not see what needs to be done to correct the problems he and others have pointed out? We need to admit the problems exist before they can be addressed.
Reply to this comment
by charcot1 October 31, 2009 1:15 PM EDT
The reason why we are 50th in life-care expectancy is because we have a lot of uninsured patients who obviously drag the life-expectancy down. But believe me if you take out these uninsured patients in the survey our life-expectancy would be high up there. Believe me, you do not want to go to England or Canada if you get cancer.
Reply to this comment
by charcot1 October 31, 2009 1:09 PM EDT
your comment is irresponsible. Most insurances do not pay the whole amount billed or often times deny payment. That is why hospitals overcharge because they know they would not be paid for the whole amount. Doctors usually review the chart before going into the room and you did not account for that. You should thank the doctor that he did not examine you and therefore did not spread germs.Doctors have to pass on to patients and insurances the money they have to pay for malpractice insurance.Doctors depending on specialty may have to pay up to $300,000 a year in malpractice insurance and with the current financial crisis are seeing a lot of uninsured for free. Medicare only pays $10 per visit and they could decline payments for services as they wish. You are the one cheating by receiving millions of dollars just by badmouthing other people. If your salary is lower then goods would be cheaper because less money goes to advertisement fees. Americans are getting smart. They don't let their children go to medical school and just invite foreign educated doctor to practice here. They are smart enough to know that the problems of becoming a doctor are not worth it and they could earn more money by becoming a CEO, stockbroker or a journalist like you. You are overstaying in your job and should let other journalists take your job and share the pie. If not for the doctors who are taking care of you now, you would be long dead.
Reply to this comment
by rleshner October 29, 2009 10:59 PM EDT
Andy Rooney's comments concerning health care have confirmed my opinion of people who don't deliver health care telling physicians how to do so. The comment concerning the physician was unfair because we have no idea what you medical problem was and what type of physician was consulted to see you. Say it had been a psychiatrist. Would you really have wanted the psychiatrist to touch you? I also found your life expectancy comment interesting. If we are over 50th in life expectancy around the world, would you really travel to the first 50 countries for better medical care than here. Twenty percent of Canadians seem to find their way here. I dislike people who paint a profession with a broad brush. Like those old journalists who drink too much, eat fatty foods, don't exercise, and present information out of context. The kind who are self righteous and arrogant. It's our professionalism that fosters a duty to keep miserable people alive.
Reply to this comment
by Virgil-1 October 29, 2009 5:08 PM EDT
We should call it the Health Industry and not the Health Care Industry.Why?Because no one in this industry business cares.
Reply to this comment
by Pedro_wet_back October 29, 2009 3:48 PM EDT
For the most part, I have nothing against the doctors; they are just enforcing the direction of the HMO they work for. They would not bite the hand that feeds them. The problem is that our health industry is just that, an industry. And like all industries, they just want to make more money every day or somebody in their chain of command will get fired. They do that by selecting their customers and dropping those that are no longer profitable. I am glad Rooney is putting the alcohol roght on wound, its about time somebody did it.
Reply to this comment
by dbwsr October 29, 2009 3:46 PM EDT
ERROR in Previous comment....."The ER Doctor charged another $921.00, and the Radiology Doctor charged another $39.00. The Cure, a prescription available at Wal-Mart for $4.00 for antibiotic, and $10.00 for pain."..............

Should read. " The ER Doctor charged another $921.00, and the Radiology Doctor charged another $390.00. The Cure, a prescription available at Wal-Mart for $4.00 for antibiotic, and $10.00 for pain."
Reply to this comment
by dbwsr October 29, 2009 3:20 PM EDT
Here you go all those of you who live the life of glitter and ease. I listened to the great Physican Senators on the right, explain about the cost of healthcare on C-Span, and how President Obama is wrong about having the diabetic person having to pay $3,000 for a foot amputation. Oh no, the great Senator Physican from Georgia said, no doctor would be paid over $600 for any such operation. The Physician who appeared on C-Span who claimed the cost of a total Mastectomy under $3,000. Well, I called the ER of our hospital, 40 minutes away in our great state of Arizona, and asked what the cost of a basic ER visit would be on a Saturday morning 9-19-2009. My wife had terrible pain from what we thought was a Cystitis Attack, which she takes medication for. The pain was so bad, she was passing out. We do not frequent doctors often because of cost. Our family doctor charges us $65.00 a visit, because we are uninsurable. "We cannot tell you what the cost would be," I said well what would be the ball park, $100- $550? "We cannot tell you, but we are a not for profit hospital, and we will work with you." Well, come to find out it was a Bladder Infection, a bad one! She was given Morphine $47.31. The very wise doctor scheduled a Cat-Scan, (I had no idea what it was, or what it cost, I told them I have no insurance, and am not well off financially) $4463.80. There were lab tests, now, they did not wait for those, but acted on the Cat-Scan. The lab test cost $2267.49. Although it was requested all the results go to my family Physican, that was not done, so the test were meaningless. The hospital bill for a "bladder infection" was $8,916.67. The ER Doctor charged another $921.00, and the Radiology Doctor charged another $39.00. The Cure, a prescription available at Wal-Mart for $4.00 for antibiotic, and $10.00 for pain. Total cost for the NOT FOR PROFIT HOSPITAL and staff, $10,187.67, for two and half hours sitting in a recliner in the ER. (in the 50's 60's 70's this was handled by the family doctor without all these tests, for under $21.00. (in the Fifties, he would have come out to your house on Sunday) May I ask all of you a question, when was the last time you went to the Doctors office, and he did something? (Besides referring you, or writing a prescription.) My daughter was to Urgent care twice yesterday, the last time she would not leave till they did something! I use to think dying was expensive but next to the bill for this calamity, sits a full page ad featured in the AARP mag, "The high cost of dying" The average funeral cost $7,323. They sell auto repair insurance on TV, don't pay $4,000 for engine replacement, a Transmission can cost $2,000. Wake up people, I have the bill right here, I'll send you a copy. This country is in a mess, with the Insurance Program, The Hospitals, The Doctors, and the Drug Companies. It's time to change this country as far as healthcare goes. This is one industry, that should not be for profit, and they should have to explain to a JUDGE, their charges! Don't call Andy Rooney stupid, you will have to live a long time, to learn what he already knows.
Reply to this comment
by adacrahn October 28, 2009 8:09 PM EDT
Dear Mr Rooney:
I don't usually take the time to write commentaries, but I was offended by your remarks about the doctor who charged you $250.00 for seeing you 5 minutes.
As a doctor who sees many patients at the hospital, I can tell you that there is so much more that I do besides that patient visit. I am responsible not only for a history and physical of my patient and a plan of care, but besides this, on a daily basis I review the lab work, the results of tests, speak to other consultants, speak to the family and above all place my heart and soul on the care and well being of my patients.
I don't want to debate doctor's fees, but I do want to enlighten you about
all that goes on before and after that 5 minute visit.
Ada C. Rahn, M.D.
Reply to this comment
by Ratnakaram October 28, 2009 8:02 PM EDT
Mr Rooney, you completely missed the point of your health care debate by pointing to you physicians bill. First of all, you may have seen him/her in person only for few minutes, but you don't know howmuch time he/she spent reviewing you records, labs and test results. If I use your own anology, I am sure your are getting paid thousands of dollars for your 1-2 minute commentary a week.

250 dollar doctors bill is less than 3% of your 9000+ hospital bill. It would have been more educational and useful to your audience if you went through the detailed bill from hospital and see how much money was spent on paying administrative costs, billing and collection staff as well as the cost of drugs and equipment used for your procedure.

As a physician, I am surprised to see how media never looked at different layers of adminstrative costs of medical care including insurance company administrators, hospital administrators, clinic administrators and finally billing and collecting agencies. I am sure you will not be surprised to learn that the top three highest paid people at our local hospital are all non-physicians who never see a patient.
Reply to this comment
by abrownmd October 28, 2009 10:55 AM EDT
Dear Andy: I always look forward to your commentary on 60 Minutes; your wit and enthusiasm are remarkable; however, your remarks on Sunday, October 25, 2009, although coming across as "cute" which they were intended to be, were ill informed and offensive. You, like the physician who billed the insurance $250.00 have a responsibility to your respective audience to provide an honest and informed service. You imply that because he didn't touch you he performed no service. Is that truly the case? In adddition, we both know that billing the insurance $250.00 and receiving that amount are not the same thing. You receive whatever compensation you get for your brief commentary because people such as myself make a point of listening to you. I don't think you are still in the army and assigned a surgeon, so you obviously had a choice. However, having said all that, like your doctor, I still enjoy your show. Respectfully, Dr. Anthony Brown, orthopedic surgeon
Reply to this comment
by vikster1111 October 27, 2009 11:19 AM EDT
You are so true about the fraud in the health system. I had to go to the emergency room for something minor and my health ins. deductible is $5,000 so I told them I would pay it in full and how much was it. They said $85.00, but they wanted to bill the insurance company for it to apply towards my deductible. They billed the insurance company $279.00 - when the ins. would not pay they tried to bill me for that amount and I paid $85.00 with a note telling them that is what they told me it would cost and since no medicine or instruments or anything was used on me that is what I am paying. On my friend's hospital bill they charged $25.00 twice for toothpicks. Unless something is done like a cap on these expenses it is just going to get worse and worse. People need to start fighting back towards this fraud.
Reply to this comment
by tired_of_it3 October 27, 2009 10:03 AM EDT
Mr. Rooney,
We are not all cheats and dishonest. Most of us in health care are just trying to get through the maze of roadblocks to get paid for services. We also are trying to keep up with technology - check the latest price on an MRI or the cost of drugs if you wonder about what a hospital charges. I noticed your EOB is from Medicare. Based on the $9000+ in amount billed, the hospital will be lucky to get a third of that. What is received has to cover the staff, equipment, facilities, sterilization of areas, supplies and anything needed for standby. Reimbursement also needs to have an overhead to cover the cost of replacing equipment over and above what the current equipment costs, charity allowances and bad debt expenses. And, let us not forget legal fees. The liability insurance that health care providers need to carry is astronomical. It all comes out of the monies received. Trying to bill Medicare is a nightmare in itself. The rules are so complex, even the intermediaries are not sure what they mean. The provider better know, or it is labeled fraud or abuse. Even if the provider does what the intermediary says, they are still accused of fraud or abuse and treated as such.

Mr. Rooney, there is a lot you do not know. Come out to the real world as a provider sometime and get some facts. I cringe at the thought of government run health care.
Reply to this comment
by Danny_Boggs October 26, 2009 2:39 PM EDT
The Medicare Fraud section was well done, and demonstrated how inept our the Federal Government and their agents are at operating an effective program. However, Mr. Rooney ownes millions of people an apology for his statements about healthcare providers. To say "everyone cheats - doctors, hospitals, pharmacies, ......." is the most rediculous statement I have every heard from Mr. Rooney, and there have been plenty in the past. His examples, without futher explaination where inflamatory and useless. I'm sure your insurance company didn't pay the $9,000 sited if that was the "billed amount". If the doctor that came into his room was a Radiologist, Pathologist, and any number of other specialists - they do not routinely "touch" patients. His "opinions and commentary" are a very poor refection on CBS. I plan to send his piece to my hospital's 650 employees and our Medical Staff of 50 and urge them to boycott 60 Minutes until Mr. Rooney is gone.
Reply to this comment
by drrrortho October 26, 2009 2:15 PM EDT
In the truest tradition of CBS News the truth was not allowed to get in the way of a good story. Mr Rooney owes it to his listeners to disclose how much the hospital and his doctors were actually paid for having to deal with him. He clearly stated that his insurance company had paid over $9,000 to the hospital alone. This is clearly a lie. Flashing an EOB on the screen as evidence of his absurd claim is reprehensible.
Reply to this comment
by sandcrab007 October 26, 2009 12:07 PM EDT
Mr. Rooney, Please clarify if the $9,000+ was the billed amount OR the actual amount paid by your insurance carrier. There is a vast difference between what is billed and what is paid!
Reply to this comment
See all 55 Comments
See the latest from Andy Rooney More
60 Minutes RSS Feed