Government run health care

[Edwina's Secretary]

Yes, I understand why the techie stands behind a shield. I also understand why the dentist puts a lead apron over my torso before taking x-rays of my teeth. And it isn't because of "junk science."

Now I have had an opportunity to read a few articles on the report and am further convinced it is not a plot by a Marxist to force the US into socialism by forbidding mammograms to women under 40. Or whatever.

This study looked at issue we will have to face whether we stay with the current healthcare delivery system or change. Cost/benefit ratios and defensive medicine. I learned things reading about the study and listening to an interview with one of the researchers on the panel.

To try and stir people up with ranting that does not even correctly reflect a study is not constructive. People should know more about breast cancer - not be misled by misinformation.

That was and remains my point.

Thanks for your good wishes joycenalex. I must admit though my thoughts during the two hours were not for the techie..

[Lady's Human]

But as long as the misinformation and twisting of words is coming from you, it's okay, right?

[lizbud]

But as long as the misinformation and twisting of words is coming from you, it's okay, right?

Oh no, here we go again.

[Edwina's Secretary]

Oh no, here we go again.

Don't feed the trolls Liz...

[cassiesmom]

Why does my antihypertensive cost $3 a pill?

Supply and demand? R&D costs? Crazy government regulations? Do you know what it takes to get a drug to market?

Puckstop, I don't think it's supply and demand, R&D costs, or government regulations. I think it's Big Pharma's goal of profit. They tweak their formulations just slightly (Prilosec to Nexium, Effexor to Pristiq, Ambien to Ambien-CR) so they don't lose the big bucks that come with the patents. Have you ever tried enrolling in a pharmaceutical assistance program? It's not easy to qualify. And I believe that pharmaceutical companies can afford to help many more patients than they actually do. Why is it that they are willing to give away anti-retrovirals in Africa, but not to HIV/AIDS patients who might need them in North America? What's wrong with this picture? I don't think health care is in need of reform; I think health insurance (including Medicare, Medicaid, and prescription drug coverage) is desperately in need of reform.

[RICHARD]

Some poor AP in Africa ain't gonna sue the effing pants off of Merck, Pzifer, or any other pharm company for giving them a 'shot o'cure".

It's easier to 'trial' a 'cure' withg poor destitute people who are not bombarded by lawyer AHs trying to get you to call them for your Mesothelioma case during their fave programs on the tube.

Also, they do not fear the side effects that every pill/med has to tell you about.

THAT is the reason that a pill is ten dollars or what ever they charge.

[Puckstop31]

Puckstop, I don't think it's supply and demand, R&D costs, or government regulations. I think it's Big Pharma's goal of profit.

Is it profit or "too much" profit that is the problem? Not supply/demand? Then why are the drugs cheaper in areas of the world with WAY less demand for them?

Also, a little research will show that many companies generate a MUCH larger proft % than the pharmaceutical industry. It is very expensive to get a drug to market.

I don't think health care is in need of reform; I think health insurance (including Medicare, Medicaid, and prescription drug coverage) is desperately in need of reform.

I agree. But if you take the profit motive out of the equation, health care WILL need reform... Because it will suck because nobody with talent will want to do it anymore.

Profit is not evil. Greed, however, is. Put more responsibility into the hands of the patient. Let everybody see what it REALLY costs. Then people start shopping around, like we did with Tanya's pregnancy. We found AMAZING care for less than half the cost of the "usual" hospital here in town. Competition breeds cost cutting and better service. Lets face it... Healthcare IS a business.

No, its not "easy" to get there. Yes, not everybody will do well in such a system. It will still be better than what we get if government runs it all. Ask my father in law... Ask my brother in law... YEARS waiting for stuff that I could get next week, at worst, here.

[Puckstop31]

Some poor AP in Africa ain't gonna sue the effing pants off of Merck, Pzifer, or any other pharm company for giving them a 'shot o'cure".

It's easier to 'trial' a 'cure' withg poor destitute people who are not bombarded by lawyer AHs trying to get you to call them for your Mesothelioma case during their fave programs on the tube.

Also, they do not fear the side effects that every pill/med has to tell you about.

THAT is the reason that a pill is ten dollars or what ever they charge.

There is this as well.... See point #1 of "my plan". LOL

[RICHARD]

There is this as well.... See point #1 of "my plan". LOL

Don't bother posting until you announce your run for office.

----------------

Here's one little interesting thing about 'old stuff' that sits around an operating room.

Should there be any 'product' that sits on the shelf because the tech is no longer used or has been replaced by something newer and better?

It gets donated to a charity where docs take it to third world countries and use it on poor people in the area,



A laparoscopy/laparotomy kits are sold to hospitals as a unit.

(Baxter) They got smart and began to sell a package that includes EVERYTHING you need to pluck an appendix or a gall bladder.

Problem? The hospitals are strapped and HAVE to buy the whole kit from the manufacturer.

They will break it open and use 60 to 70% of the kit, the rest is either thrown away or te individually packaged things are set aside for emergency usage.

-----------------------------------

So, when you come in for a burst appendix, you are charged for the WHOLE KIT, no matter what is used.


I dislike the salespeople (med supplies and drugs) more than politicians.

I worked in the area where the sales reps would come in and almost offer themselves up in order to get a sale.

Those people were scumbags, liars and the biggest thieves on the planet.

[Edwina's Secretary]

Puckstop, I don't think it's supply and demand, R&D costs, or government regulations. I think it's Big Pharma's goal of profit. They tweak their formulations just slightly (Prilosec to Nexium, Effexor to Pristiq, Ambien to Ambien-CR) so they don't lose the big bucks that come with the patents. Have you ever tried enrolling in a pharmaceutical assistance program? It's not easy to qualify. And I believe that pharmaceutical companies can afford to help many more patients than they actually do. Why is it that they are willing to give away anti-retrovirals in Africa, but not to HIV/AIDS patients who might need them in North America? What's wrong with this picture? I don't think health care is in need of reform; I think health insurance (including Medicare, Medicaid, and prescription drug coverage) is desperately in need of reform.

So good to have the voice of a healthcare professional - who works in the industry.

I agree with you the expression "healthcare reform" is a bit of a misnomer. The issue is how it gets paid for (insurance) and who can afford it.

[Puckstop31]

So good to have the voice of a healthcare professional - who works in the industry.

I agree with you the expression "healthcare reform" is a bit of a misnomer. The issue is how it gets paid for (insurance) and who can afford it.

If only that were true... Have you actually read any of either bill?

[Edwina's Secretary]

I dislike the salespeople (med supplies and drugs) more than politicians.

I worked in the area where the sales reps would come in and almost offer themselves up in order to get a sale.

Those people were scumbags, liars and the biggest thieves on the planet.

Talk about shoot the messenger!! The sales reps are the scumbags, liars and thieves.

Okay...they could make a living some other way...but what about the folks who train them to do that? The ones who make the REALLY BIG bucks from the sales of those scumbags??? They aren't bigger thieves?

[cassiesmom]

I dislike the salespeople (med supplies and drugs) more than politicians.

I worked in the area where the sales reps would come in and almost offer themselves up in order to get a sale.

Those people were scumbags, liars and the biggest thieves on the planet.

Just don't even get me started on pharmaceutical sales people. (shiver) I was waiting in the doctor's office one morning when one of them came in. Talk about a schmooze-a-palooza! I felt like the rep was wasting my time more than my doctor's, since I was paying to see her, and he wasn't.

Then in my last job there was a weekly inservice for the docs and clinical staff with a catered lunch, sometimes a guest speaker, and usually a "commercial" for a particular product that had either been added to formulary recently or they wanted us to add. The nurses weren't too welcome at those because we didn't directly contribute to formulary decisions.

Big Pharma likes to have nurses as sales reps - somehow it seems to make the sales rep image less sleazy. I wouldn't do it if it was the last job on earth. I'd take bedpans over a sample case in a heartbeat. The receptionist for the doctor I used to see kept track of how many sales reps came in each day. She would allow a couple, and then put a sign on the door: No more sales rep calls today. The doctor I go to now is part of a teaching hospital so I don't believe they don't get sales rep calls at all.

[cassiesmom]

Put more responsibility into the hands of the patient. Let everybody see what it REALLY costs. Then people start shopping around, like we did with Tanya's pregnancy. We found AMAZING care for less than half the cost of the "usual" hospital here in town. Competition breeds cost cutting and better service. Lets face it... Healthcare IS a business.

No, its not "easy" to get there. Yes, not everybody will do well in such a system. It will still be better than what we get if government runs it all. Ask my father in law... Ask my brother in law... YEARS waiting for stuff that I could get next week, at worst, here.

They tried that at some of the hospitals in Chicago for awhile but it seems to have fallen out of favor for now. There was a big push to get people to ask about how much this service costs, and to call around and compare prices before (example) their colonoscopy, but I don't know how much it ever caught on.

[Edwina's Secretary]

They tried that at some of the hospitals in Chicago for awhile but it seems to have fallen out of favor for now. There was a big push to get people to ask about how much this service costs, and to call around and compare prices before (example) their colonoscopy, but I don't know how much it ever caught on.

It is not practical for a number of reasons.

All the different for profit insurance companies have negotiated deals with certain healthcare providers. If my carrier doesn't have a deal with the hospital with the lowest rate it won't make any difference.

Many providers have no idea what the rate will be until they submit the claim. Too complex - too many different rates.

When you are in an emergency situation - calling around for the lowest rate could kill you.

Anyone see the piece on The Daily Show last night about the number of Americans moving to Mexico for better quality and lower cost - government healthcare?

Although I am sure you could fine two guys in Mexico who are dissatified with it...