by jlw61 » Mon 21 Apr 2008, 14:20:33
$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('smallpoxgirl', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('jlw61', 'Y')ou make is sound like breakthroughs are bad
They generally are bad. They consume obscene amounts of money and resources and produce trivial benefits to health. Ultimately they drive up the cost of health care to the point where many people can't afford any health care. That's why Americans come out number one in health care costs and number 37 in health. We shovel money at things like transplant programs and $1000 per dose drugs that provide little health benefit per dollar instead of at things like primary care that provide big health benefits per dollar. Primary care isn't sexy. It doesn't make for an intriguing blurb in the science section of the evening news, but unlike transplant programs, it actually provides significant health benefits. Transplant programs are the headlight wipers of health care.
OK, so we'll quit with the breakthroughs... PUT ON THE BREAKS EVERYONE! No more new drugs, no more new cures, no more research.
I'm sorry, that's crazy talk!
First, the #1 way to stay healthy is to get off one's ass and get in shape... no doctor can do anything for a person who won't do this.
Second, basic health care?
What is it!?!?! Define your terms because you are just saying basic health care. You are not advancing your argument. Explain what this basic health care is. What does it cover? What does it include? You don't have to get in great detail. In fact, here's a start for a BASIC health plan...
* Cover's drugs that cost over $40 a month.
* Cover's one doctor check up a year, basic blood work and labs for reasonably detectable problems.
* Cover's two dentist check ups a year plus basic dental care.
* Covers problems from accidents including broken bones, lacerations, etc. Does not cover reattachment of limbs (extra rider).
* Covers birth control prescriptions (free) and neo natal visits.
* Covers one eye exam and basic glasses every two years.
* Covers nothing if the patients Body Mass Index is in the "obese" range.
Remember, anything above this (and there is a lot, such as premie babies, cancer, etc) is proably a death sentence economically or literally. So choose your terms carefully while remembering each additional benifit costs money.
One of the big issues as to why insurance cost so much is because the
can't offer just basic health care. They have to offer all sorts of things mandated by the particular state they are working in. Some states mandate mental health care, some mandate Viagra! Who the heck needs Viagra in a basic health care plan?
Define what is it that you want basic health care to do and then check the laws of your state and I'll bet a cookie that the state you live in mandates a heck of a lot more. Your government in action!
When somebody makes a statement you don't understand, don't tell him he's crazy. Ask him what he means. -- Otto Harkaman, Space Viking