Health-Care Myths

The first fact is that the problem with our health care delivery system is that the USA subsidises the drugs for the rest of the world. we should pay the average price that the rest of the world pays for drugs. Second fact, the over utilization of health care is primarily due to the homeless and illegal aliens that that use our hospitals to get a meal and a bath. These individuals will visit the ER 2 to 3 times per week on average costing us millions. The current federal propsal is based on the fact that if these people have a primary care provider they wont be utilizing the ER. This is a terrible assumption. Unless the primary care provider is going to feed and bathe these people they will be at the ER every 2 to 3 days and we will be paying a trillion dollars and not accomplishing our goals other than driving up the cost of health care. Third fact, the government wants to develop a two tier health system. people with means will not wait on service. This is evident in all aspects of our lives. these people will pay out of pocket for service and will not wait months or even weeks to get care. this is fine for the feds the money thats paid out of pocket saves fed dollars and these people still have to pay into the system. The solution change from a institutional model to a home care model. we have the technology to provide many services at home and will save the taxpayers billions. Force the drug companies to charge the average price paid in the world for drugs.

I found the article informative and very consistent with what I see every day. Physicians in socialized systems of health care have little reward to work harder and so they don't. I wonder what % of people would support being dropped off their current plan and enrolled on one behemoth "one size fits all" governement health plan.

Obama is cherry picking information at the expense of Americans who do not have time to research and find out that he is really being deceiving.

"What about America being 45th in life expectency that is even a better indication of our Health system." well, for whatever reason Americans choose to drive instead of walk like the rest of the world, to vegetate in front of TV, to snarf fast and fattening foods. no wonder we have more morbidly obese extremely unhealthy people than anywhere else in the world. and you call that problem of our Health System? I call that problem with our people and their attitudes, and no amount of pill pushing will fix that.

Someone that's sights name is "Emacs Stock Watch" is sure to be on the side of the consumer, right! Look at what she wrote and where the aledged "facts" come from, how are your insurance stocks doing today Elizabeth, please.

I have yet to hear anyone address the following: How does providing healthcare for everybody actually lower the cost of healthcare? Cardiac catheterization -- a life-saving, medically necessary treatment for heart attack -- costs $30-40K. It doesn't matter if you have insurance or not, it still costs that much. Let's not even begin to talk about cancer therapy, which is even more expensive. In the U.S., heart disease is the #1 cause of death among older citizens; cancer is not far behind. For those not well-versed in the current cluster known as Medicare and Medicaid, the reimbursement rate for most doctor's visits is about 40 cents on the dollar. Let's say you have a routine physical and are covered by Medicare. The 30-minute visit costs about $135; Medicare pays $54. Perhaps some people think that paying a doctor $108/hour is pretty good income, until you factor in that this pays for office staff, lights, malpractice insurance, etc. Now consider that the only payor who reimburses LESS than Medicare is TriCare, which provides medical benefits for our soldiers and veterans (they pay aboutt 33 cents on the dollar). I know so many colleagues who no longer accept TriCare or Medicaid because of this; many are considering whether to even accept Medicare anymore. The truth is that our current government programs not only drive good doctors out of business, they are also bad for the patient because "allowable" charges are based on the bottom line, not good patient care.

Your article does not expose myths, it only underscores grim truths in the U.S. health care system. Health care insurance is essential for every American if we hope to bring the quality of American citizens lifestyle to to the level of our paradigm that we set for all the world. This country should be the leader for the world in providing health care for every American, not a follower. If your statistical numbers are correct, then they are not consequential. Health Care for a 1st class nation should be a constitutional mandate just as; life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. None of which are perfectly achievable without universal health care for all American citizens.

Life expectancy is not a reflection of the health care system, it's a reflection of our culture of no exercise, overeating, being overweight, smoking, drinking, high fat diets.....if you won't take care of yourself, do you really expect the government to do a better job?

Thanks for taking the time to accurately dispell the "myths". On the subject of myths, please consider dispelling another one. Opponents of the ban on late term abortions make the claim that this gruesome procedure is used to save the life of the mother. From a medical standpoint, such a claim is completely preposterous. When the life of a mother becomes endangered during the 3r trimester, the fastest and safest way to end the pregnancy is deliver the baby by cesearian, not abortion. The cesearian ends a pregnancy instantly where as abortion at this advanced stage requires 24 - 48 hours of prepping the cervix for dilation suitable for the procedure. Mothers whose lives are endangered during the 3r trimester include among others those with hypertensive disorders such as pre-eclampsia (toxemia), infection (sepsis), and cardiopulmonary disease. To be more clear, these patients are treated in hospital settings by physicians, not in out patient abortion clinics. Again, there is no basis for opponents of the ban to claim it is necessary to save the life of the mother.

After reading your article I agree that the Myth's are being used to push this program through. My family on my mothers side lives in Wales, U.K and I can say that our heath care system far over shadows theirs. Two of my relatives were not allowed treatment because they were over age. It is like our doctors telling us that having an operation for a paticular problem is based on type of problem and trying to fix it now rather than waiting would involve a higher percentage of risk but if we insisted they would do it. In Wales, UK this isn't an option. I also remember two individuals my family knows who come down from Canada to us our health care system because the wait is to long. Of course they don't purchase their prescriptions here they wait until they return to Canada. Smart like a fox they are.

Name one critical program the US Govenment runs well? Name one person you know that has died because of the lack of health insurance, not health care mind you. I for one, od not want my healthcare dollars to go to 10s of millions of illegal aliens and those that choose not to have health insurance when they can afford it. It is not a right to have health insurance in this country, it is a right to have health care. Until people get this difference straightened out this will be as big expensive messs as the rest of Obama's domestic agenda - no results for a lot of deficit spending. Jimmy Carter II is in the White House and history is repeating itself all over again. The misery index is coming back.

Such propaganda. How about all the American expats who have moved to other countries, mainly for their marvelous health care!! The bottom line is that we're the only country of the developed world, who feels that health care is a privilege, not a right. For profit health care is a joke, sort of like for profit police protection! Imagine if only the rich would have their property or persons protected from criminals!

Always keep in mind folks...where do all of these facts come from and who compiles the facts. Same goes for anyone separating myths/facts....just keep it in mind.

It was entertaining to read John Edwards comments, I think he had too much Cool Aid and confused Fos with MSNBC, CNN, ABC, CBS, and NBC. The article did an excellent job of clearly idenifying how Obama and the Democratic Party want to mis-inform and rush through this with the "sky is falling" mentality. I did some research on the Danish system, and while it appears to provide good health coverage, you are once again looking at a much smaller population base and we would have to address some major issues that Obama and does not dare bring up. Much lower pay for physicians and clinical staffs. Doctors in Demark earn approximately $35,000 and nursing/technical staff less than $30,000. Who is ready for that pay cut. You would have to address the whole education system and the costs to become a doctor or nurse, etc. Then there is the level of tazation in Denmark. At approximately $70,000 and up the top rate in roughly 56% of income. So there is much, much more to think about. The discussion should be based on the facts and not the hysteria of fear used by the left. Look at SS and ask yourself if you want our government to run your healthcare.

This report fails to mention that millions of chronically ill Americans cannot purchase health insurance at any price. The private health insurance industry refuses to underwrite the chronically ill because they are unprofitable. Forty-nine states (Mass. is the exception) provide legal protection for the insurance industry to discriminate against these folks. The current system is a national disgrace.

This article is a good example of opportunistic (and pandering) journalism. There is no easy way to argue with you. The way our current health care system provides coverage is very erratic. Indeed some people can only get good health care when they go to prison. For them It's like hitting the mother lode. Fortunately a single payer funded universal health care system would make our total efforts more transparent and obviate the need for garbage articles such as yours which muddy the legislative process. Perhaps then you could return your thoughts to the real world finding ways to make health care more efficient and effective.

What about America being 45th in life expectency that is even a better indication of our Health system. Its amazing that you did not eliminate more standards so we ended up with the lowest infant mortality rate in the world.

Thanks for taking this on. But, to your second myth, you missed a key resource that, so far, everyone else I've heard discuss and debate this issue has missed (except for John McCain on the campaign trail): 18 mn Americans with limited resources annually receive health care services at this country's network of 1200 Community Health Centers. I've been both a patient and a board member of Primary Health Care, Inc., in Des Moines, IA, which is an excellent example of this unacknowledged resource. At 6 locations in Des Moines, MDs, DOs, PAs, dentists, pharmacists, and other medical and social service professionals provide preventive and acute medical and dental care, mental health care, and prescriptions for uninsured, underinsured, and insured patients, who are charged (or not) on a sliding scale basis according to ability to pay. This is an excellent resource available to all, includes support services to help with housing and homelessness, management of chronic illness (including an HIV/AIDS outreach program), and other ancillary services. No-one within reach of these centers has to go to the emergency room, adding significant expense to the system, or go without primary care or medicine. Why has no-one in Congress or the administration suggested boosting funding for this existing infrastructure? This system also offers medical professionals the opportunity of having student loans forgiven for years of service in CHCs. Please research this HHS resource & why it's ignored.

This is a very informative piece that I hope is read by many. Unfortuatly, "playing Possum" is really being a possum. The facts you present have been seen before. Much has been made of preventative care. As a retired doctor, I know that most doctors do preach preventative care. However, It takes two for this to be successful. In my experience most patients want only medicine to treat them and not make the life changes that will add longevity. Witness smoking, obesity,exercise,diet. To compare infant mortality in this country with others is unfair, as you present. In this country, any baby, be it 5 months premature to a full term that takes one breath, is considered a live birth. Most countries have some time length, ie. 7 days, to live before it is called a live birth. Also many countries do not include stillbirths in the mortality factors. The quickest way to decrease medical expenses is to change the legal climate. When one mistake can make you a pauper for life, you are going to do your best to make sure that your "mistake" looks OK on the witness stand. Another way is to get the drug companies to reduce their prices and increase the price charged to other countries. Why should be subsidize these countries by charging them about 50% of what we pay. We need to learn to "pull the plug" and let people who have little chance of getting better.75% of medical cost occur during the last 2 months of life.

I admire the response by Andrew Polhamus. He hits the nail on the head. This article does not bash Obama, it states facts. Left or right has nothing to do with taking these facts and forming a rational opinion about this very important issue facing our country.

Obviously, Elizabeth McDonald has good health insurance coverage. How many of those people making $65,000 a year can afford to pay 20% of a $200,000 hospital bill. How many of those people aren't able to get insurance due to preexisitng conditions. I challenge everybody who currently has group health insurance to see if they can obtain coverage on the individual market. My guess is a lot of them would be shocked. NEWS FLASH!! Canadians, Brits, and French citizens are demonstrating in the streets to get US type coverage. NOT! NEWS FLASH!! Canadians, Brits, and French citizens are flooding into the United States to receive US health care. NOT!

Health care facts: 1. Millions of people are denied coverage due to pre-existing conditions. 2. Health insurance companies give bonuses to employees who find ways to cancel coverage for sick people (like failing to report acne when young, used to deny coverage to cancer patients). 3. 2/3 of all bankruptcies are due to medical bills. 4. Since most coverage is through employers, most people are just one bad illness, or one accident away from losing coverage (in 18 months, if the person can afford COBRA payments). This system is broken.

Thanks for taking this on. But, to your second myth, you missed a key resource that, so far, everyone else I've heard discuss and debate this issue has missed (except for John McCain on the campaign trail): 12 mn Americans in the past year received a broad range of health care services at this country's network of 1500 (?may be 1200) Community Health Centers. I've been both a patient and a board member of Primary Health Care, Inc., in Des Moines, IA, which is an excellent example of this unacknowledged resource. At 6 locations in Des Moines, MDs, DOs, PAs, dentists, pharmacists, and other medical and social service professionals provide preventive and acute medical and dental care, mental health care, and prescriptions for uninsured, underinsured, and insured patients, who are charged (or not) on a sliding scale basis according to ability to pay. This is an excellent resource available to all, includes support services to help with housing and homelessness, management of chronic illness (including an HIV/AIDS outreach program), and other ancillary services. No-one within reach of these centers has to go to the emergency room, adding significant expense to the system, or go without primary care or medicine. Why has no-one in Congress or the administration suggested boosting funding for this existing infrastructure? This system also offers medical professionals the opportunity of having student loans forgiven for years of service in CHCs. Please research this!

The biggest single fact that so many are glossing over is the fact that you can't reduce or control the cost of health care if you don't control the main source of those costs and that is doctors, hospitals, and pharmaceuticals. The insurance company is not the source of ever increasing health care costs they are only the mirror that reflects ever increasing costs back to policy holders. At some point in time the government will start clamping down on providers and that is when rationing of care will come about.

Mike T, you are missing the point. Those of us who work in healthcare finance know that rationing is the only way to cut costs. Instead of people with jobs being free to spend some of their disposable income on their healthcare, it will be socialized so their money will provide more healthcare those without jobs currently receive. Obama thinks we can be healthier and save a trillion. Did he somehow miss the obvious point that we all die and 80% of the money spent on healthcare is in the last couple of years of a person's life. That's not going away unless socialized medicine puts you on a two year waiting list. I am amazed that Obama now lists THIS as his # one priority. How many #1s can a guy have?