tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893272060787897238.post8716123463256723244..comments2024-03-19T08:42:45.690-04:00Comments on The Delaware Libertarian: Obama: health care plan will make suggestions, not hand out directives?Steven H. Newtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09097470960863103473noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893272060787897238.post-55765964762033853262009-05-06T19:26:00.000-04:002009-05-06T19:26:00.000-04:00Dana
I said in the post that it would be the same ...Dana<br />I said in the post that it would be the same thing insurance companies do now.<br /><br />What I object to in this piece is the intellectual dishonesty of labeling this as a 'conversation' when it is in reality going to be a regulation.<br /><br />It bothers me immensely when the President makes something sound cooperative and voluntary to win support, full well knowing it won't be.<br /><br />Had he said, "We're going to put together a program that investigates cost-effectiveness of X types of medications and then requires physicians to justify on a case-by-case basis if they use the more expensive meds," then I would not necessarily have liked the plan, but I would have given him marks for honesty.Steven H. Newtonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09097470960863103473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893272060787897238.post-20920869939123361262009-05-06T19:02:00.000-04:002009-05-06T19:02:00.000-04:00You are complaining about something that private i...You are complaining about something that private insurance companies do all the time. Where is your complaint about them?<br /><br />Besides, let's be honest now. If the government didn't institute a quality control program, you would have a fit about flagrant, excessive government spending w/ no one watching the bottom line. You have it fixed nicely so you can have it both ways.Delaware Watchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13619357338844485803noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893272060787897238.post-43320995045549193312009-05-06T12:06:00.000-04:002009-05-06T12:06:00.000-04:00For example, if the FL docs charge 25% more than t...<I>For example, if the FL docs charge 25% more than the MN docs and get the same outcomes, Obama wants the government to act as an overseer in order to get to the bottom of this discrepancy. I agree! This is a needed role for the government to play, to cut costs and to encourage good outcomes.</I><BR><BR> <br />When has government ever actually CUT costs? And "encourage good outcomes" based on whose definition of "good?" <br /><br />Maybe the cost of living is higher in FL than MN?? Maybe that has something to do w/costs? After all, if gov. is supposed to "cut costs," maybe it can lower the cost of living in Manhattan to, say, what it is here in DE?Hubehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02735857200853965829noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893272060787897238.post-14837633013493292402009-05-06T11:10:00.000-04:002009-05-06T11:10:00.000-04:00Steve parses: "This is, unfortunately, a carefully...Steve parses: <I>"This is, unfortunately, a carefully crafted piece of anti-intellectualism: doctors are either dupes or tools; you do not have the ability to make your own decisions without help; the government is going to consult people who might know about this stuff and tell you what's good for you."</I>I don't get that from Obama's quoted comments at all.<br /><br />For example, if the FL docs charge 25% more than the MN docs and get the same outcomes, Obama wants the government to act as an overseer in order to get to the bottom of this discrepancy. I agree! This is a needed role for the government to play, to cut costs and to encourage good outcomes. <br /><br />Who else would do it? Certainly not the AMA!<br /><br />PerryAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893272060787897238.post-37306307243585771562009-05-05T20:59:00.000-04:002009-05-05T20:59:00.000-04:00"But the only example he gives is where a doctor o..."But the only example he gives is where a doctor or doctors might be prescribing a medication that's too expensive,"<br /><br />Steve, I get into this with Blue Cross all of the time. I take Lipitor for my cholesterol. I am in fact a high-risk patient as I have had previous heart episodes (most serious of all being clinically dead about 13 years ago). Although there are cheaper medications for cholesterol lowering out there, it took the Dr. and I over two years of trial and error to get my total cholesterol down to where it is today near 100. Considering my past medical situation, I'm not interested in changing any of my medications (plavix, atenelol,lipitor, niaspan and aspirin) that I properly credit for allowing me to live way past 40 years old (my life expectancy as my cardiologist gave me when I was 33). Although I would be considered a proponent of universal health care, I do wonder how the government plans to keep costs down. Sometimes the expensive medicine is just better<br /><br />Mark HAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com