Government run health care

[cassiesmom]

Yes, I have ideas as to how to make it better and more affordable.

1.) Limit the awards for pain and suffering to reasonable amounts. Not the amount a good speaking lawyer can get out of a emotional jury.

2.) Allow insurance companies to sell policies in multiple states.

These two things by themselves will reduce the cost of care. There are more good, no GREAT ides out there. The problem is more people need to be willing to take on the responsibility themselves for THEIR healthcare. That alone is why it is dangerous to speak about healthcare as a right.

I'm not sure I want insurers selling across state lines. They can write a crappy policy, sell it dirt cheap (so people will buy it) in an insurance statute-friendly state (where they can win any cases that may go to court), and still be making money hand over foot.

My #2 would be
2.) Figure out a way for prescription drug manufacturers to sell their products cheaply. Why does my antihypertensive cost $3 a pill? Maybe the V.A. is onto something - they buy in enormous quantities, keep their formulary pretty tight, and pass the savings on to their patients.

Did you all see the story on 60 Minutes last night about older people in intensive care units? Heartbreaking.

[Puckstop31]

I'm not sure I want insurers selling across state lines. They can write a crappy policy, sell it dirt cheap (so people will buy it) in an insurance statute-friendly state (where they can win any cases that may go to court), and still be making money hand over foot.

Supply and demand. Some people might buy such a "crappy" policy... Others might shop around for the best policy. Its how a free market works. Of course, the tough part of a free market is some people win... Some people lose. Its how it is... Its how it always will be. History does not lie. Knowing that, i'd rather that destiny be MY choice. Ya know?

There are more smart people out there than I think you believe.

My #2 would be
2.) Figure out a way for prescription drug manufacturers to sell their products cheaply. 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?

[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]

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]

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.

[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.

[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...

[Puckstop31]

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.

These are among some of the reasons why I agree with you that the system needs to be "fixed" and/or changed.

What I don't agree with is what either house has come up with. Simply put, we cannot afford the monstrosity they have put together. Unless, of course, we are willing to have a lower standard of living. You can only tax the producing class so much.... History shows us this time and time again....

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...

First, The Daily Show? Really? I'd love to see the source material for THAT.

Next, its WAY more than 2 people. Some polls have it WELL over half of America does not like what is currently being debated.

Its statements like this why the left is losing traction on almost every issue. You continue to not listen to the people or reality. All you can do is try to shut us up or just ignore the facts.

Carry on....

[cassiesmom]

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?

I don't know if they still do, but UnitedHealthcare used to sell a product for U.S. citizens and residents who chose to obtain their care across the border.

PacifiCare and UnitedHealthcare Partner With SIMNSA to Enhance Cross-Border Health Care Services for Latinos and Their Families
Posted on: Wednesday, 27 September 2006, 09:00 CDT (source: redOrbit.com)

CYPRESS, Calif., Sept. 27 /PRNewswire/ -- PacifiCare, a UnitedHealthcare company, is partnering with Sistemas Medicos Nacionales, S.A. de C.V. (SIMNSA), to make available innovative health plans for Latinos who prefer to visit doctors in Tijuana and other border cities in Baja California, Mexico.

PacifiCare's partnership with SIMNSA enables PacifiCare to market SIMNSA products and services alongside PacifiCare and UnitedHealthcare programs that provide Southern California-based businesses affordable, comprehensive coverage for their employees. SIMNSA offers a host of health plans with low or no copayments as well as dental and prescription drug benefits.

Based in Chula Vista, Calif., SIMNSA is a California-licensed health plan that was developed to provide affordable, quality health care coverage for a growing segment of the U.S. work force that prefers to access health care services in Mexico. Health care services are rendered by a network of more than 200 doctors and specialists in Baja California. SIMNSA also contracts with clinics in the San Diego area for members who need access to urgent care.

SIMNSA members must access all routine care in Mexico, but are covered for qualified urgent and emergency care while working or living in the United States. SIMNSA plans are open to Mexican nationals who are legal residents of the United States, U.S. citizens of Mexican ancestry and dual nationals. In addition, SIMNSA can also accommodate employers that want to offer their employees a "split-family" coverage option. This option allows employees to choose PacifiCare for themselves and SIMNSA for their dependents.

Latinos of Mexican origin comprise nearly 60 percent -- or more than 20 million -- of the Hispanic population nationwide, and more than 32 percent of the total Latino population nationwide resides in California. More than 52 percent, or 40,510, of the Mexican foreign-born citizens who became naturalized in 2005 reside in California, according to the Migration Information Resource -- Spotlight on Naturalization Trends, Sept. 1, 2006. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Center for Health Statistics shows that, "among immigrants, Hispanic adults were the most likely to be without health insurance (37 percent)."

"According to San Diego's regional planning agency, nearly 35,000 people are commuting across the border into California each day to work," said Frank Carrillo, CEO of SIMNSA. "However, this doesn't include those who live in Southern California and support their families in Mexico. For these individuals, a California-based health plan may often not be an option. Through SIMNSA, however, our 20,000 members -- many of whom might otherwise be uninsured -- are able to attain employer-sponsored health care coverage for themselves and their families. By partnering with PacifiCare, we look forward to enhancing SIMNSA's brand and its health care programs throughout Southern California."

"We share SIMNSA's goal of improving access to quality, affordable health care coverage for Latinos, particularly those who are legally employed in Southern California and may live and have families in either Southern California or Mexico," said Russell Bennett, UnitedHealthcare's vice president of Latino Health Solutions. "Data published by the Yankelovich Hispanic Monitor indicate that the majority of Latinos prefer to receive health care information in Spanish. By offering health care programs that are linguistically and culturally appropriate, we believe PacifiCare and SIMNSA have a tremendous opportunity to leverage our mutual experience and expertise in better addressing Latinos' unique health care needs."

[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?