Interesting points, WhoDaresWins. Ironically, everyone wants a Marcus Welby as their doc; always available , compassionate, spends whatever time you need with you, and operates in YOUR best interest. What is also interesting is the huge growth of the medical-industrial complex ie., new drugs, equipment, technology, computerization etc. But have we gotten our bang for our buck..I don't think so. Have our morbidity and mortality rates relative to our advances really kept pace with what we spend relative to countries with far less resources. We are producing and using drugs, but are these drugs and the research that support them always operating in the patients best interest. Since pharmaceuticals don't generally do or support research on older drugs; do we REALLY know weather or not they would do an equal if not better results. The PhD's doing the research are paid by the drug companies. Is fish oil, aspirin,exercise,weight loss, inexpensive beta blockers,low fat diet equal to all the Lipitor and Plavix we prescribe.
Does everyone need a CT scan or MRI for back pain. I know someone will mention the lawsuit aspect of not ordering tests and the issue of "standard of care", but do we not see that our demands as a society have in many ways led to the increase in costs.
Those with "good" insurance rush to the doc at the first sign of any malady, even a sore thoat that started this morning as opposed to first trying some old time solutions such as salt water gargles and acetaminophen; no we want Azthromycin or God forbid DEMAND of the doc Levaquin since their co-worker is taking it
Relatively few with insurance are pushing for reform (now) , they see no particular urgency. Congress by the way for the most part is in this group. But the moment a person has no insurance or loses a friend or family member suddenly they become advocates.
I think everyone should have access to the same health care plan as Congress. I didn't say free care. The rates should be on the same level that Congress pays, no more, no less. Why is this such a complex concept. We've been dealing with this health care issue for years now, and you'ud think with all the "brilliant" minds we have we'd have come up with a solution by now. We have auto, life, disability,home insurances and we don't seem to have such difficulty figuring it out. Buffett owns Geico and seems to be doing OK, in thefree market...competition is GOOD. If a business can't compete it gets out of the business, Duh...
PS: By the way, all health professionals want a raise every year, where does this money come from ?