You may find it hard to believe...

But I agree with everything Kuttner says. God, is, as they say, in the details, and the key here is one little sentence he casually introduces in the 5th paragraph:

"As a consequence, they can direct health spending to areas of medical need rather than letting the market direct health dollars to areas of greatest profit"

See the idea of directing spending to areas of need is a way of saying rationing. That's the way that Canada, Britain - all those countries that Michael Moore lionizes, manage to keep costs down.

You know what - I'm fine with it. We gotta get the costs out and the only way to do it is to limit some treatments. And yes, Grandma may not get that silly-assed Hoveround - she can use a good old-fashioned serviceable wheelchair instead.

And, grandpa may have to get on a waiting list for 6 months to get that new hip. But that's how this should and will work people. We cannot continue to have it all and consume healthcare indiscriminately like we do now.

in reference to:

"As a consequence, they can direct health spending to areas of medical need rather than letting the market direct health dollars to areas of greatest profit"
- Robert Kuttner: The Cure That Dares Not Speak Its Name (view on Google Sidewiki)