Republicans talk about health care reform in terms of doctors and patients working in tandem to make medical decisions, keeping the insurance companies out of it. I don’t know what kind of plan this administration will manufacture but I will tell you this much — I don’t trust any member of the AMA, pharmaceutical company or organized labor to sit on a commission. They are equal co-manufacturers of this broken-down, financially driven medical system. They sell the glucose machines to the fat, lazy Americans. They hustle the drugs that keep your mood elevated and your pre-menstrual cramps in check. Ladies, can I ask an honest question? What the hell have females done for tens of thousands of years previous? Do you think some caveman would run away from his cave wife because she had PMS? Of course not, he did the wise thing — he knocked her out with his club and woke her up when the bleeding stopped. And then, let’s not disqualify the men from this one. What the hell have we done for our erectile dysfunction? Did we run to the doctor begging for some magic pill which would send the blood rushing to our loins? No — we ate oysters and convinced ourselves that we were virile and all of a sudden — poof! Woody! And, gents, allow me to let you in on a little secret. If your prostate is feeling a little in the way, increase the intake of tomatoes.
There’s no doubt about it. Health care standards and quality have evolved miraculously in the last 100 years. People are living longer. Now that baby boomers are showing signs of aging, companies researching age retardation and advancing plastic surgical techniques are leading the medical stocks these days. The medical system in the United States is driven by greed. Collectively, the medical lobby in Washington is America’s medical Bernie Madoff. They have created a giant Ponzi scheme in which we have all been unwitting participants. I make my own decisions with regard to my body. I consult with my doctors, I get varying opinions and then I make an informed decision that I am accountable for. You see one thing I left out is the horrific premiums doctors pay for malpractice insurance. But that would lead me down the road of tort reform which would lead to a wholesale indictment of the American Bar Association. Anyway, I think you get my drift.
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - handyguy
Wow. Quite an article. How is your health now?
I'll be interested to hear what the White House comes up with on health care as well. Axelrod claims that one guiding principle will be "if you like what you have now, you can keep it" [as long as you are covered]. So that they're not seen as threatening to completely blow up the current insurance system.
Cost control is key. We spend too much, and since insurance covers all or most of it, the costs are invisible to patients. Sure, doc, go ahead and order those 12 tests that cost several thousand each. And give me that brand name drug even though a generic works just as well. [Or as you point out, no drug at all might be the best choice in some cases.]
2 - roger nowosielski
I like your direct, no-nonsense style, Silas. I'll get to the content later once I'm off pins and needles.
3 - Clavos
Excellent article, Silas.
As the primary caregiver of my wife, who was stricken with spastic paraplegia almost four years ago, I've had to learn a lot about the business (and it certainly is a business!) of health care, and it ain't pretty.
Medicare (and therefore we taxpayers) pays in excess of $400K a year for my wife, all due to a radiologist's carelessness in administering external beam radiation to her as part of her treatment for a sarcoma years ago.
Her quality of life can best be described as poor, and she's keeping about ten Drs. in Mercedes payments, as well as helping to keep solvent the hospital she spends several months a year in.
Very good article. I'd love to see one from you on tort reform, as well.
4 - Silas Kain
My health today, handy, is unbelievably great, Lord willing. And thank you for asking. I walk. I drive. I live a full, normal life. And I haven't forced insulin into my body in 4 years, 7 months and 3 days. I am free of diabetes. I have discarded my 76" waist pants for a comfortable 46. I am 3 pants sizes away from my goal and I will get there. My wheelchair collects dust in the cellar and my walking crutches sit in my closet as a daily reminder to me from whence I came. I am down to four essential prescriptions " no more " and all 4 are generic in nature. The doctors on my health care reghimen are individuals who were carefully screened " by me. They each recognize alternative medicines as viable alternative treatments to conventional Western traditions. That is key for me because I believe there are many viable treatments based in Eastern traditions that are cheaper and more effective.
Another point I want to bring up is this misinformation by pharmaceuticals in the area of Hepatitis research. Did you know that there possibly exists a cure for Hepatitis B? And the reason why this 'cure' is not available to the mainstream is because the drug is cheap to make. Since when does the cheap cost of drug production become a recipe for FDA or drug industry rejection? The pharmaceutical lobby remains strong in Washington and as long as those lobbies working in harmony with the AMA and, yes, unions are allowed to continue, Americans are going to get a raw deal. If a drug isn't glamorous and expensive to manufacture, corporate executives don't want to hear it.
Imagine, for a moment, that a drug was discovered which placed cervical cancer into remission and one of the side effects would be the retardation of the aging process. That drug manufacturer's stock would boom off the charts. That pharmaceutical company would be the darling of Wall Street. And it won't be because of the impact on cervical cancer. The fat, lazy American Baby Boomer is getting grey, getting wrinkled and losing its youth. Therefore American drug manufacturers are focused on retarding the natural process because American vanity is somehow more important than American health. Our priorities are as screwed up as the Bush Doctrine. The key to real comprehensive health care reform must begin with the thought that every patient must take some accountability for their individual care. Beyond that, drug companies should not be allowed to supply 'free' inventories of 'sample' drug products to the pill pushers who hand out samples like candy to kids at a Catholic Priest retreat. You see, physicians are under the same pressure tactics used by lobbyists from K Street and that has to cease before the real dialog can begin.
There is currently a horrible outbreak of Hepatitis B in India. It's become a national scandal. Yet there is a drug which could be manufactured and distributed for a fraction of the cost of the drugs accepted for use by the medical proletariat. But Americans haven't been told about these advances because there's no great amount of money to be made. True comprehensive medical reform must begin on a foundation whereby corporate executives and Wall Street are banned from representation at the reform table. As I indicated in my article, the medical establishment is to health care what Bernie Madoff is to investments. Corporate decisions executed by greed are destined to fail when it comes to health care. Mainstream America must become engaged in this process with phone calls to members of Congress and letters to Barack Obama. Forget about ideology for a moment and think about the importance of quality, affordable health care. It seems to me that this issue should transcend the political divide.
And one other point with regard to medical care for our Veterans. I am a firm believer that those who have served this country are entitled to a decent health care package. While the intent of the Veteran's Administration is admirable, we need to take a look at the so-called veterans who are getting the free health care. Many of our veterans who are homeless or low -income can't afford to take a taxi to their local V.A. Hospital. But there are plenty of vets out there who take advantage of the V.A. health benefits who earn in excess of the magic $250K annually. There remains a disparity in just which veterans receive the benefits they deserve. Those medical benefits available to our veterans should be dispensed based upon the income a veteran receives. If they are the fortunate position to pay for health insurance premiums without going broke then they need to step away from the V.A. and let some less fortunate veteran get the benefits he/she deserves. That's not a redistribution of wealth " that's a level playing field.
5 - Doug Hunter
There are lots of problems people have that could as easily be fixed by diet and lifestyle changes as they could with hundreds of dollars a month in pills. Their is no profit to be made in researching or educating you about this.
On another note, while I'll agree it is easy to blame failed healthcare on doctors, or failed education on teachers, or the whole mess on politicians, the truth is these institutions are only a reflection of our culture and our collective wills.
It's not us versus them, we are them. It starts with changing ourselves, then influencing our family and friends, and yes even blogging to others about how to make better choices. Thanks, Silas.
6 - A Duck
Be wary of quacks.
7 - Glen
I liked the information that you gave, but one thing put me off and for me diluted your entire message and that was the term "fat lazy American".
Now don't get me wrong I am one for people speaking their mind, but I also feel that the delivery system of a message can detract from the overall message.
Though I was initially turned off by your delivery a re-read allowed me to ignore the useless rhetoric and get to the point that health care in the US is a contributor to the obesity problem today.
8 - A Duck
(attaches a "sense of humor" to Glenn with duck tape)
9 - Matthew T. Sussman
But I'm merely and out of shape, lazy American. I am not nearly enough of a cash cow.
10 - Dan(Miller)
Silas,
Good article, and I agree with most of the points you made. I would, however, offer this modest change to one sentence: Without fat, lazy Americans political reform would be less necessary and could be accomplished.
Unfortunately, I suspect that very few are willing to make the lifestyle changes which you made, which you advocate and which would be a damn good idea. We will see whether the comprehensive health plan to be offered by the Government will move us in that direction. I don't think it will, but sure hope I'm wrong.
Dan(Miller)
11 - Brian aka Guppusmaximus
Excellent Article...
Though I do agree with Glen that the term used for Americans can overshadow a great literary effort about the unfortunate pharmaceutical model that is ruining this great country.
Also, let's not forget the unhealthy image that the Fitness industry markets as the only way to be healthy & "Look Great".
A little story: Besides the Marines, I had been "working out" for 5+ years but do to life decisions & meeting my wife, my focus switched to other things. We all get caught up from time to time. Back then I was 160Lbs with 10% Body fat.As of recent I have reacquainted myself with my love for a good work out(actually, it's been a year now...) and I weigh 200Lbs, not sure of the percentage of body fat(who cares) but I do a mean work out. Now to the best part... I had a cute female Asian trainer come over to me in the middle of my "Lat Pulldowns" and because I don't look like a poster child for supplements, she ripped into me by telling me that I was wrong for doing so much weight(140-160lbs.That I need to do far less weight and more reps(*Uh*..Hello, I don't wanna look like a chick nor do I wanna look like a GQ pretty boy) I told her that I am focused on strength training even though I do quite a bit of "cardio". She replied that she couldn't see my lats and that I would eventually hurt myself. I politely told her to scram. My point: The gym has turned into a f*cking runway and they think everyone should be on a "toning" journey. The juice bars push all this unnecessary bullshit and the market for these types of supplements is not regulated!
12 - Clavos
Silas,
Those medical benefits available to our veterans should be dispensed based upon the income a veteran receives.
They are.
Prior to any treatment, a veteran (with very few exceptions) must be means tested and is charged by the VA for treatment of all non service-connected conditions. In addition, all veterans with health insurance must present their member card for treatment, and the VA will bill their insurance carrier for services rendered.
The one exception is service-connected conditions, for which the VA cannot charge by law, and for which there is no means test.
Additionally, there are a total of eight categories of priorities for treatment, with 1 being the highest priority and 8 the lowest. A veteran's priority is determined by a number of criteria, including service-connection or not, degree of disability (if any), and veteran's means (income). Depending on priority, a veteran could well be receiving free care for a service-connected condition and be paying for a non service-connected condition at the same time. There are even copays for medications (though modest ones, compared to health insurance copays) for most vets.
Most of the horror stories so avidly published by the MSM about veterans having to wait for months for appointments, etc. are stories about Priority 7 or 8 veterans, but that fact is seldom mentioned.
The bottom line is that an impoverished veteran who was honorably discharged can and will receive free treatment, even for a non-service connected condition, though he/she might have to wait a while for an appointment.
13 - roger nowosielski
There are also abuses going the other way, Clavos. I know personally of some cases when after forty years since the separation, vets can still get approved for the service-connected status (along with pay) for a condition which is unrelated (such as stroke). So the government is quite generous with its money and the allotting of entitlements to unscrupulous people.
14 - Clavos
I know personally of some cases when after forty years since the separation, vets can still get approved for the service-connected status (along with pay) for a condition which is unrelated (such as stroke).
Let's see some real data on that, Roger. Getting accepted for a service-connected condition up to forty years after service is not only possible, it happens frequently for in-country Vietnam vets, all 5 million of whom are officially presumed to have been exposed to Agent Orange, and for whom a long list of ailments, including a variety of cancers, are officially and legitimately considered to be service-connected, with no need for unscrupulousness or anything underhanded.
Even the children of Vietnam vets are eligible for VA treatment of certain conditions (spina bifida, e.g.) because of the Agent orange presumption.
To be accepted, the veteran must undergo rigorous multiple examinations by VA physicians. Receiving benefits fraudulently is not impossible, but is nearly so, and if caught, is a jail offense. There are very few such cases on record.
So, if you know someone who received benefits decades after discharge, the likelihood is he/she is doing so perfectly legitimately.
As a VA patient myself, as well as a volunteer at my local VA Medical Center, I can tell you that the likelihood of the type of fraud you describe is so minuscule as to be statistically insignificant.
15 - roger nowosielski
Well, it wasn't Nam but an air-base in Thailand. No exposure to Agent Orange, I should think.
16 - roger nowosielski
Excellent piece, Silas. You've managed to pack a great deal into a four-page story.
As an aside, it's worth noting that McDonald and Coca-Cola stocks are doing considerably well in this declining stock market. As of now, the first trades at $52; the second at $39 per share. Compared to GE, for example (at $7.50), and other "blue chips," I'd say it's a very impressive performance.
So indirectly perhaps, there is some empirical support for the American eating habits.
17 - Clavos
Well, it wasn't Nam but an air-base in Thailand. No exposure to Agent Orange, I should think.
Many of the flights that sprayed us grunts with AO came from bases in Thailand and the Philippines. Personnel at those bases not only were exposed, but actually handled the stuff, storing it, loading it on the spray planes, etc.
The point is, Roger, that unless you have direct evidence of fraud, someone receiving benefits from the VA forty years after service is not at all unusual or fraudulent.
18 - Michael Reinemer
With respect to receiving oxygen therapy, people are not lining up to be tethered to an oxygen device unless it is medically essential. Medical oxygen is a prescription drug and Medicare does not pay for it unless it is certified as a medical necessity.
19 - roger nowosielski
Well, I just wasn't aware, Clav, that they would make that kind of connection with so much time transpired.
20 - Silas Kain
You're right, Michael, people are not lining up to be tethered to oxygen. But as one who WAS in line and WAS tethered, I was trying to make an overall point. Comprehensive health care reform begins with PREVENTION as opposed to therapies. Like every issue I drag on about it comes down to a common root " E-D-U-C-A-T-I-O-N. If we have an informed society which is proactive in its' health care you have a foundation upon which to build a quality health care system.
21 - Silas Kain
I've given this issue serious thought, especially during my "down" years. And in my warped, uneducated mind, I've developed a pretty simple plan:
22 - Silas Kain
And this is the third part of my response on this point:
America's drug policy must change. Our war on drugs is on two fronts " the drug underworld and the pharmaceuticals. By adopting a decriminalized marijuana approach, millions of dollars would be freed for other government programs. Were it not for marijuana, Mendocino County, California would be in serious trouble as marijuana is a $1B cash crop there alone. America's war on domestic poverty cannot be won until we rethink our anti drug strategies. We also need a sane foreign policy which will not threaten to penalize Mexico, Canada and Columbia from opening their markets to the cultivation of marijuana. A huge decline in drug-related violence would occur. It's one thing for cocaine to be illegal as that makes sense. However, our view of marijuana is warped.
Canadians have long been open to marijuana's legalization and have been held at bay by U.S. government policy which in effect blackmails the people of Canada. Indirectly we are the cause of the serious rise in gang violence seen throughout British Columbia. Developing a health care policy that works requires looking deep into many other policies which have a direct effect upon the same.
23 - Silas Kain
I'm surprised that no one seems to think a revamped drug war policy would help this economy.
24 - Silas Kain
I just read a very interesting opinion piece by Rafe Mair up in British Columbia supporting my contention that a revamped American drug policy will have a direct impact on gang violence.
25 - Jordan Richardson
Indirectly we are the cause of the serious rise in gang violence seen throughout British Columbia.
Yep. We're pretty much running a shooting a day here, most of which are in broad daylight. One shooting happened where my mom gets her groceries. It's getting pretty bad.