Ballot Initiative To Limit Patient Costs Won’t Be Effective And Will Drive Doctors Out Of Area, Opponents Say
The measure, sponsored by Services Employees International Union-United Healthcare Workers West, would limit the amount hospitals can charge patients to no more than 15 percent above the actual cost of providing care. "Who wins under this initiative?” said C. Duane Dauner, director for the No on Measure F Coalition. “The answer is nobody.”
The Mercury News:
Patient Cost Initiative Won’t Lower Hospital Bills, Opponents Say
A group fighting an initiative to restrict patient costs in Palo Alto claims that the measure would not lower hospital bills, but force the city to increase taxes or reduce services and even spur healthcare providers to relocate elsewhere. C. Duane Dauner, director for the No on Measure F Coalition which is backed by local hospitals, said the initiative would not reduce costs to patients with private insurance or force insurers to issue rebates to patients who are charged too much for their care. The real reason the union is pushing the initiative is to boost membership, he said, adding that it will actually lead to hospital layoffs. (Kelly, 9/7)