Published: Thursday, May 30, 2013 at 11:19 AM. <\/p>\n
Competition its a good thing for consumers, right? <\/p>\n
Yes, if you believe in the American way of free markets. <\/p>\n
No, if you are bureaucrats who create government rules on health care until recently. There is evidence that Raleigh rule-makers are seeing the light on competition in health care. <\/p>\n
How it plays out is up to the N.C. Court of Appeals in a case involving CaroMont, a group of Piedmont region doctors and the state Department of Health and Human Services. <\/p>\n
The outcome could determine whether people have a local choice in where they get health screenings for colorectal cancer, one of the most common cancers for men and women. <\/p>\n
Not just anyone can build one of these screening centers. A certificate of need CON in health-care lingo first must first be granted from the state. <\/p>\n
According to what has been the governments misguided economic theory, the CON requirement holds down health care costs by limiting options for patients. <\/p>\n
In reality, its just the opposite. Competition drives down costs and, best of all, gives consumers choice based on factors that are important to them. <\/p>\n
CaroMont Health in Gastonia secured a CON, but before its screening center was built, the state granted another CON to a group of area doctors. The health care giant now is suing in an effort to block another screening center that local physicians want to open. <\/p>\n
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Editorial: Court ruling could expand health care<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Published: Thursday, May 30, 2013 at 11:19 AM. Competition its a good thing for consumers, right? Continue reading