Friday, August 21, 2009
Government Intervention
"... Nothing is easier than for governments to impose price controls. They have been doing this, off and on, for thousands of years-- repeatedly resulting in (1) shortages, (2) quality deterioration and (3) black markets. Why would anyone want those things when it comes to medical care?" -- Hoover Institute economist Thomas Sowell
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Obamacare
There has been much talk the past few months about Obamacare (government take over of heath care). One aspect that is being heavily debated is the issue of government panels deciding what medical care can be delivered to whom. The idea being that the older one is the less more expensive procedures would be granted. This is triage with a euthanasia bent to it. Well let me tell you it already happens even in today's world only the decision is made by your doctor and/or the insurance companies. And better the doctor than anyone else but I think in most cases I should be the one to decide.
Case in point: I had an appointment today with "my" Orthopedic Surgeon.
Setup: I recently had an MRI that revealed a small tear (what my doctor called it) on the upper bicep tendon (not medical terms but easier to understand). My Ortho called it a build up of scar tissue and other stuff (I can't remember).
What the Ortho basically said went like this: If aged 20-40, we fix the tear if it gets worse; if 40-50, it'll depend on the circumstance (i.e. how rich or famous you are); and if you over 50, forget, they won't perform the surgery. How's that make us old people feel.
His justification is that the lower bicep tendon never tears. If the upper bicep tendon tears it only cause the bicep to bundle up (no longer be elongated) and will only cause cosmetic damage. If you see people who's biceps look like they are balls (not when flexed) and instead are elongated this is what has happened to them. And since it doesn't cause any real damage it would be considered "cosmetic" for those over age 50 and therefore not deemed surgically necessary.
Wow!!! I told him God made me one way and that if He decided the upper bicep tendon should be attached I'll go ahead and agree with Him and have it reattached. he said that is my option but I'm sure he meant if I wanted to pay for it myself. What a load of crap!!
Now I understand the need for triage and when someone is truly on their deathbed the idea of keeping them alive in the hopes of getting one more day with them or some discovery coming through in time to save them is truly I believe a waste of valuable resources that could be going to someone my apt to live a long and productive life. But 50 years old is not "OLD" and most of us 50 years old are still very active and productive.
Again, what a bunch of crap!! What say you?
Case in point: I had an appointment today with "my" Orthopedic Surgeon.
Setup: I recently had an MRI that revealed a small tear (what my doctor called it) on the upper bicep tendon (not medical terms but easier to understand). My Ortho called it a build up of scar tissue and other stuff (I can't remember).
What the Ortho basically said went like this: If aged 20-40, we fix the tear if it gets worse; if 40-50, it'll depend on the circumstance (i.e. how rich or famous you are); and if you over 50, forget, they won't perform the surgery. How's that make us old people feel.
His justification is that the lower bicep tendon never tears. If the upper bicep tendon tears it only cause the bicep to bundle up (no longer be elongated) and will only cause cosmetic damage. If you see people who's biceps look like they are balls (not when flexed) and instead are elongated this is what has happened to them. And since it doesn't cause any real damage it would be considered "cosmetic" for those over age 50 and therefore not deemed surgically necessary.
Wow!!! I told him God made me one way and that if He decided the upper bicep tendon should be attached I'll go ahead and agree with Him and have it reattached. he said that is my option but I'm sure he meant if I wanted to pay for it myself. What a load of crap!!
Now I understand the need for triage and when someone is truly on their deathbed the idea of keeping them alive in the hopes of getting one more day with them or some discovery coming through in time to save them is truly I believe a waste of valuable resources that could be going to someone my apt to live a long and productive life. But 50 years old is not "OLD" and most of us 50 years old are still very active and productive.
Again, what a bunch of crap!! What say you?
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