Design For Corruption--Why US Healthcare is Failing

[David Farber <dave () farber net>]

Begin forwarded message:

From: dewayne () warpspeed com (Dewayne Hendricks)
Date: August 28, 2009 11:45:28 PM EDT
To: Dewayne-Net Technology List <xyzzy () warpspeed com>
Subject: [Dewayne-Net] Design For Corruption--Why US Healthcare is  
Failing

Design For Corruption--Why US Healthcare is Failing
Posted by: Bruce Nussbaum on August 28
<http://www.businessweek.com/innovate/NussbaumOnDesign/archives/2009/08/design_for_corr.html 
>

I've lived all over the world, in countries that Americans often call  
"corrupt." Peace Corps in The Philippines, journalism in Thailand,  
Argentina, China. But these days, the US is at least as, if not, more  
corrupt than any other nation I have lived or worked in. Yes, most of  
this corruption is "legal." It is easy to pass laws that make lobbying  
legal but what is happening in Washington today is exactly what  
happens in Manila, Jakarta, Shanghai or Bangkok--buying influence to  
control policy for the benefit of the few.

The US has designed a corrupt political culture that undermines our  
meritocracy and makes a joke of the "public good." Health care is the  
most glaring example. Read this amazing Business Week cover story  
about United HealthCare's influence in Washington <http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/09_33/b4143034820260.htm 
>. We have a Congress and Senate full of people covered by a great  
public health care plan refusing to share it with the rest of the  
population largely because of the lobbying efforts of health care  
insurers who don't want a "public" option that would give them  
competition. The story shows in detail how corruption is shaping our  
national health care system.

Ditto for bank reform and Wall Street reform. Despite incredible  
irresponsibility that brought the US and the world to the brink of  
another Depression, the financial sectors have escape any serious re- 
regulation. Why? Lobbying.

The World Economic Forum is starting a forum for designing large-scale  
social organizations. It should be with a case study of the US.
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