Comments on: The Best Health ‘Reform’ Money Can Buy

By: ruok?

ruok? — Sun, 11 Apr 2010 01:41:19 +0000

“I would estimate 80% of my primarily elderly patients could make the best decisions on how to spend their money and this would bring common sense back to medical care, rather than the irrational “standard of care” which is highly driven by fear of tort.” -Nathan

Excellent point, nothing better illustrates that than those involved in that process (doctor, patient relationship). Delegating it to another authority only circumvents the individual and their freedom of choice.

This arbitrary process, of issuing a type of “quality control” within healthcare, greatly underestimates the ability of patients to openly discuss healthcare needs with their doctor. Would it be criminal to allow Americans to make up their own minds as to whether or not they needed healthcare insurance, given their present conditions, or coerce (forcibly, if not, fine monetarily) those same individuals into purchasing healthcare insurance, that is approved (arbitrarily) by an entity, that readily will not use that required (mandated) insurance for thamselves (government).

By: Nathan

Nathan — Sat, 10 Apr 2010 00:26:08 +0000

I appreciate your article. I disagree with one point. I am a young physician and I firmly believe that patient’s in the 21st century are able and empowered to make the best decision about their healthcare and how their healthcare $ are spent. I would estimate 80% of my primarily elderly patients could make the best decisions on how to spend their money and this would bring common sense back to medical care, rather than the irrational “standard of care” which is highly driven by fear of tort. You see, human biology and its complexities what treatment is best for the patient cannot be determined by the proposed Committee to contain costs in the new healthcare bill, just as the HMOs financial officers do not know what’s best for the patient. It is a decision that must incorporate the patient’s needs and desires and the medical treatment options. I believe that an important part of healthcare reform would to get the patient involved in cost containment. The few patient’s I have with high deductible insurance plans and pay cash use the system very efficiently and with common sense. Creating a system where the patient asks, “Doc, how much is this all going to cost?” in our information age is a key component to incorperate to keep quality high, cost down and the flexibility we all want when we need to go to the doctor. Look at this video on YouTube that explains my thoughts. It talks about HSAs and although they are not perfect I think the model is a base to work from…my main point is to create a system where patient’s talk to their doctors about “cost”. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_u18teqr258&feature=youtube_gdata

By: Web design

Web design — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 15:24:11 +0000

Im not certain that the White House is so much interested in preserving the central role of the insurance companies as it is interested in 1) getting a bill that will at least put us on the *path of reform*, and 2) do so with as little upheaval as possible. Perhaps #2 wouldnt have been a goal if it werent for all the other economic problems were suffering right now. Think about the outcry if we suddenly instituted single payer and all those health insurance industry people were out of a job. It just couldnt be done in our current economy. Im for single payer, btw, but I understand why Obama is hesitant to take that approach right now.

By: Dizzy

Dizzy — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 11:11:28 +0000

As long as old people and government employees have health care, place your bets on the rich CEO’s.

If all else fails you can beg a “Charity” for help. Eric Cantor (R) Virginia.

By: Angela Olsen

Angela Olsen — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 19:30:38 +0000

Nothing is going to happen until We, The People, take back our government from the Big Corporations who have bought and paid for it since the Republicans began their rise with the election of Reagan. I know that Democrats are guilty, too, and housecleaning needs to be done there, also.

It makes me angry to hear our country’s much-needed health care reform phrased in terms of who needs to be sure to secure their seat (read: job) in the next election! It’s time that Congress got busy doing the work of the people and stopped worrying about holding onto their jobs. If we can get our message of why reform is required out loud enough over the lies of the opposition, they will lose their jobs in the next election anyway if they don’t vote for true reform!