A community of 30,000 US Transcriptionist serving Medical Transcription Industry
To Zville MT and other interested parties
Posted: Jan 16, 2012
Starting a new thread because the old one is too hard to follow any more.
You've got me doing more googling than I ever intended but that is a good thing. Total cost of health care in this country was up to 2.3 trillion a couple of years ago and undoubtedly higher now. Frivolous law suits accounted for only 1 to 1.5% of the costs and unnecessary tests an even smaller percentage at 6.8 billion. I couldn't copy the link but if you google frivolous lawsuits health care costs there is a very concise and interesting NY Times article and for those who want to tell me that the NY Times is a biased liberal paper, don't read it.
Another part of the health care costs I would like to see discussed is end of life costs. Medicare spends approximately 25 to 30% of its total outlay on the last 2 months of life. Whenever this subject is brought up some politician screams that we are trying to pull the plug on grandma. Well, I am grandma as are many of my friends. I do not want to spend the last 2 months of my life in the ICU with a tube in any place one can be inserted. I have recorded my advanced directives as should everyone my age. Many will want to hang on until the bitter end but I suspect that most will not. If we, as a nation, could discuss end of life issues without the hysteria, we might be able to lower costs dramatically. The only politician I have ever heard bring this up is Mitch Daniels and although I am a Dem, I give him lots of credit for discussing it.
I look forward to your comments.
;
Isn't google great? LOL! - Zville MT
[ In Reply To ..]I'll check out the NYT article this afternoon. The percentage of lawsuits isn't what concerns me; what concerns me is that doctors prescribe many tests that may not be necessary out of fear of being sued - those lawsuits may never be filed, but the fear is always there, plus the cost of malpractice insurance goes up every year varying with the levels of risk (which it should) and the history of past litigation of those specialties (which it shouldn't).
I totally agree with your end of life costs assessment. I also have a living will and I'm 39. Everyone in my family knows I don't want to be kept alive by machines, etc and would rather have them pull the plug and let me be at peace. I also agree that we need to have rational discussions about this not only with our families, but as a country, but unfortunately you're right - there's too much hysteria about death panels and pushing grandma off a cliff whenever this is brought up.
I know I keep bringing the conversation around to it, but my only problem with the health care bill is the mandate - Congress does not have the power to demand I buy a product. If we give them this power, what are they going to demand I buy next, for my own good?
Intrusion of government - old and burned out
[ In Reply To ..]I understand your concerns. The next thing you know, you will have me reading the U.S. Constitution and not just the passage you cited. Oh well, the weather is getting crummy and I don't want to clean.
As for the unnecessary tests, it seems they still add only a very small percentage to the overall health care costs.
Since I started this conversation to find out why people are so anti-Obama, is that the only policy to which you object? Is there is anything he's done that you feel is worthwhile? By the way, there is a web site called "What has Obama done." Just in case you have not seen it.
There are worse things than reading the Constitution... - Zville MT
[ In Reply To ..]like cleaning - LOL!!
I have 5 psych evals to type tonight, but I want to check out the website you cited. There are other policies that I object to - most recently his recess appointments when congress was not in recess.
I can list one thing right now that Obama did that is worthwhile - I like he's giving tax incentives to companies hiring veterans. We owe more to our veterans than any other group of people in our country - they should be given every opportunity and benefit. I'm sure there's more, that's just what I got off the top of my head :)
Constitution-ZVille - Conservative
[ In Reply To ..]The vets are where most of my money, time and services go in regards to charity. I am an avid supporter of our military. Without them, none of us would have the freedom of speech as we do here, not to mention so much else. Something else you may be interested in. Canada has a single-payer system. Due to the mounting cousts to administer this program over the last 10-15 years, services have been significantly reduced or eliminated altogether. Approximately 75% of all Canadians now carry an additional policy for medical care on top of the single-payer system they pay for through taxes set up by the gov. Hospitals are mandated, by law, to live within their budget. As costs per patient care increases, hospitals are forced to cut costs or reduce services provided. Not too good if you are the one needing the service they cut. There is way too much information to post it all here, but there are massive problems with the single payer system. The strong positive I could locate so far, was all care is determined between the patient and doctor (then it becomes a problem if it is a service no longer provided/covered by single payer/gov). Under Obamacare, gov decided from the beginning, what services will or will not be provided, regardless of what your personal MD may think. Their costs have not dropped as they orginally stated, but quite the contrary.
P. S. - old and burned out
[ In Reply To ..]Googling "health care mandate constitutional" yields up a whole new batch of reading material.
Also, I had not read your earlier post because the thread was getting so long.
What I meant about a new legal subspecialty was this: I am assuming that the large insurance companies like Humana, United Health Care, etc., are licensed to sell insurance in all states but if someone tries to save money by buying insurance from a small company in another state, presumably that company would have to be licensed in the state in which it wants to sell insurance - more lawyers. If the idea of buying insurance anywhere means no individual state licenses then whose regulations are going to be followed, the state in which you purchased the insurance or the state in which you live? I'm sure I can be clearer if I google this too.
Okay, that makes sense. - Zville MT
[ In Reply To ..]I hadn't thought about that, but it's definitely something to ponder.
I somewhat agree with you about the idea of a - mandate; however, what SM
[ In Reply To ..]is the opposing view on uninsured people when they show up in the ER? Right now, we are paying for these people and it is costing us.
More reading material - old and burned out
[ In Reply To ..]Have since read several articles by googling "health care mandate constitutional" and most of the articles I seen so far uphold the position of the mandate being constitutional. The problem with reading the constitution is that you would also have to read the decisions to see how the court has interpreted the constitution. I don't think I'm going to live long enough for that.
Comparing it to golf, my favorite pasttime, you can't just read the rules of golf, you also have to read the decisions on the rules of golf if you want to be fully informed. The decisions are about 4x longer than the rules.
Going to have to leave it up to the constitutional scholars to figure that one out.
Hi Zville - no moniker
[ In Reply To ..]I deeply yearn for healthcare reform, but I too have difficulty with the idea that a citizen should be mandated to buy a product.
I am a supporter of President Obama, and I am committed to healthcare reform, but I am perplexed by this proposed solution.
I don't happen to believe that health insurance will cost less if everyone has to purchase it.
I think the military-industrial complex of yesteryear has been replaced by the medical-industrial complex of today.
I'm so with you on this... - Zville MT
[ In Reply To ..]except being an Obama supporter :) I did actually consider him at one time until he started talking about single-payer and cap and trade. I consider myself an independent and it was with great misgivings that I voted for McCain.
I do believe there needs to be healthcare reform, but I don't see where forcing everyone to buy insurance helps that. I don't know what the answer is, but there just has to be a better solution.
I think, though, that the medical-industrial complex will take a backseat to the military-industrial complex before too long. With Israel ready to launch an attack on Iran, Iran close to having nuclear capabilities, and Germany financially taking over the EU, the military will be ramped up again and health insurance arguements will seem like small potatoes.
Other solution - old and burned out
[ In Reply To ..]Well, Zville, found in the multiple articles I've been reading was an alternative to the mandate which basically levying a tax on those who do not buy insurance and giving a tax break to those who do. How does that grab you?
To the other poster, the way the mandate lowers costs is that many, many people tend not to buy insurance until they get sick. If the young and healthy must buy insurance presumably they will not need to use very many services for quite a few years. This brings in more money in the form of premiums and less paid out in claims. This should lower costs for all - unless the insurance companies find a way to make windfall profits. This is why I believe in single payer, government insurance with the profit motive removed from the equation.
Similar Messages:
I Think Both Parties Are WrongJan 02, 2013
Not only did they extend the tax cuts but they pushed back spending cuts. Both wrong in my opinion. Get rid of the tax cuts...let them expire for everyone. Why are they pushing back spending cuts? Isn't our biggest problem our debt and yet they push back spending cuts? HUH? Isn't that a tad counter productive to getting down our debt? I am so disgusted with any and all politicians. I'm to the point where I don't believe either p ...
Pajama Parties Kick Off Nov 14, 2011
Opponents of Gov. Scott Walker have planned a slew of pajama parties, Green Bay Packers viewing parties and “midnight madness”-themed events to kick off their effort to recall the new Republican governor, which was set to begin just after midnight Monday. Dozens of events were planned by groups like United Wisconsin and Democrats across the state late Monday night and throughout today to start gathering the more than 540,000 signatures required to get a Walker recall election o ...
Gender Reveal PartiesJan 26, 2016
I received 2 invites this week! My grouchy self says just another gift haul occasion but my nice me...okay, actually feels the same But at the end of the day I'll go because those little babies already have a piece of my heart and I don't want to miss one minute of his/her life Grouchy sidenote to continue my whine - I blame Pinterest! Glad that site hasn't hooked & reeled me in!! I received 2 invites this week! My grouchy self says just another gift haul occasion but my ...
Judge Jeanine Names All The Guilty Parties. (sm)Dec 22, 2014
Tried to post a link but can't, so watch this. She names names. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0yxn5nMONOw ...
Obama Parties With 60's Radicals Last Night. Check Out Marilyn KatzJun 02, 2012
nm ...
Something I Think All Of Us Might Be Interested In.Jul 24, 2010
Week of May 17 – May 21, 2010This week in Washington, the House of Representatives took its first vote on the inaugural YouCut project winner: cutting $2.5 Billion from the Non-Reformed Welfare Program. Fed up with reckless spending in Washington, the American public flocked to YouCut and chose wasteful welfare spending as the first government largess to hit the chopping block. Over 280,000 Americans participated in the first round of YouCut, an innovative program allowing the American peo ...
For Libs Who Are InterestedApr 28, 2010
Racist vandals attacked our friends in Seattle. Click here to add your name to the banner opposing this racist violence. We knew that Arizona's new radical immigration law would stir up hate speech and racist voices nationwide.1 But we didn't know it would hit so close to home.Just before our friends at Washington CAN arrived to plan an immigrant rights march, racist vandals slashed their tires, ...
If You're Interested In PollsFeb 18, 2013
http://www.gallup.com/poll/160598/democrats-push-satisfaction.aspx PRINCETON, NJ -- Slightly more than a quarter of Americans, 27%, are satisfied with the way things are going in the United States today, while 72% are dissatisfied. Satisfaction this month is similar to the 25% Gallup found in January but up from 23% in December. ... Currently, 47% of Democrats are satisfied with the direction of the country, up from 39% in January and the second highest recorded since early 2010. The high c ...
Just An FYI For Those Interested Or Who Didn't Know...Feb 02, 2014
Bill O'Reilly will be interviewing President Obama live at approximately 4:30 p.m. EST on FOX today during the Superbowl pregame show. This should be interesting. ...
For Anyone Interested In A Good Laugh . . . .Nov 18, 2009
Lou Dobbs on Jon Stewart tonight. Should be a hoot!! ...
Extreme Makeover - If InterestedDec 06, 2009
The lady featured tonight is a fellow MT. ...
For Anyone Who Is Interested-email Response From Jan 11, 2010
did this so I am just sharing for anyone interested. Dear Friend, As the first year of the Obama Administration concludes with the State of the Union, the White House is inviting Americans across the country to connect directly with some of the President’s senior advisors. Through WhiteHouse.gov, these leaders will report to you on their work and answer your questions on where we’ve been, where we are, and where we’re heading. Every morning this week at WhiteHo ...
Interested In Your Thoughts/feelings AboutJun 29, 2010
This is not exclusively political, but since it pertains to current national events, I am posting here. I am interested in hearing any and all thoughts/feelings/ideas/frustrations regarding the Gulf oil disaster. I myself am stunned that we have been unable to prevent the oil from making land-fall. I am not a babe in the woods, but I do believe that America brings huge resources to the table in terms of brain power and horse power. ...
I Found A New Home For My Dog - To Anyone Who Was Interested.Sep 01, 2010
It was a difficult decision, but I decided to avoid worrying about whether or not she could or would escape any fence I would build and then there's the worrying she may bite someone else and have to be put down. Anyway, within four hours of my ad appearing in the local paper, I had met a nice couple who live on 20 acres and have another boxer and they were looking for a playmate. I took my baby to their house so I could check it out and everything looked great. And then I ...
Reading Material For Those Interested.Jul 14, 2013
Okay, I read this probably three or four months ago. Re-read it again this morning. I think if every person capable of reading in this country read this, there would be screams for justice and calls for the head of mainstream news organizations. Even Obama weighed in on this. Did he read the statement? This is George Zimmerman's official statement given to police. http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2012/06/22/us/21george-zimmerman-transcript.html?_r ...
Just Want To Give Those A Heads Up Who Are Interested. Mar 17, 2017
news reports (same story, different spin) if anyone is interested. One is called allsides.com and the other is 180report.com. My favorite is allsides. "Don't be fooled by bias. Think for yourself. Discuss like adults." ...
For Those Of You Interested In Concierge Medicine, Mar 30, 2017
ObamaCare. Working directly with his patients and cutting out the insurance and government bureaucrats, lowers costs for the patients and increases the quality of care they receive. This shows how free market solutions can cut healthcare costs. This is the way out of the healthcare trap, and ironically it's being driven by doctors themselves who want to be doctors rather than insurance administrators. So-called "concierge medicine" is available in most areas and the number of doctors ...
To Liberals/Progressives Interested In The Economy: (sm)Oct 26, 2009
Don't know if any of you have ever watched the "Morning Meeting" with Dylan Rattigan on MSNBC (9:00 a.m. Eastern time), but I would highly suggest watching it. He is very angry about what's going on in the economy (from banks "too big to fail" to the "public option"), but instead of bashing Obama, he refers to the culprit as "the government," since we all know when this really started and how many administrations are really involved. Rattigan used to be on CNBC but is now o ...
Anyone Interested In A Laugh - Stephen Colbert Does It Again!Nov 11, 2009
http://rawstory.com/2009/11/gop-rep-cockblock-delaware/ ...
Who Is NOT The Slightest Bit Interested In The Super Bowl? Feb 03, 2010
*raising my hand* ...
FYI: Obama Will Be On The View Today For Anyone Interested (NM)Jul 29, 2010
. ...
I Found This Interested - I Guess You Could Call ItJul 27, 2010
http://the-raw-deal.com/?p=2968 Youngest soldier in history. ...
Is Anyone Interested In A Little Direct Political ActionJul 28, 2016
I am trying to think of a way that we can bring the situation in our own industry to the attention of the Presidential candidates, specifically: 1. The danger that exists in permitting the medical records of Americans to be processed offshore. 2. The adverse impact on both job security and compensation that offshoring has had on our labor force. 3. The increased likelihood of errors being introduced into the medical records of American citizens when transcription is done by ...
Obama On ISIS: "I'm Not Interested In American Leadership Or Nov 16, 2015
During a press conference detailing his administration’s strategy to destroy ISIS following several devastating terrorist attacks in Paris, President Barack Obama said he’s not interested in “pursuing some notion of American leadership or America winning." Obama’s remarks came several days after ISIS attacks in Paris that killed over 120 people and injured scores of others. Friday night’s attacks on France are believed to be the deadliest terrorist attacks in the country’s history ...
Obama "very Interested" In Raising Taxes Per E.O.Mar 03, 2015
IMPEACH ...