Sick are we ? Three -“Medicine as a Business”

    The reasons behind the high and rising cost of medicine are multitude, I can list a few ,greed, consumer demand, greed, cost of technology, greed and a lack of an informed populace. The lack of information has many sources or causes, among them; an inability of those in the profession to communicate with the public in a way they can understand; a lack of desire to KNOW by the public [we see public service spots almost everyday encouraging us to ask questions of health care providers] Most welcome our desire to be more involved in our own care, but there still exists the “What they don’t know wont kill them” attitude.
    The following are some suggestions that we as consumers can utilize to reduce costs, and some explanation of why cost are as high as we find them today. The Government cannot and will not solve the problem through MORE legislation ,regardless of what we are told. Those motivated by greed will not take less unless we make them or change our own habits. 

**IT IS A CONSUMER DRIVEN MARKET**

    When you seek care, ask questions, it will soon become apparent whither your provider is willing to communicate with you. Ask the NURSE, they are well educated and may have a little more time to answer your questions regarding your medications and treatments. When given a prescription , let the Pharmacist talk with you regarding it. Yes we are all busy, but DON’T use the drive up at your drug store, if you care and are concerned about your health take the time to go inside and get the brief “Consolation” which is offered at most drug stores today. Read all the cautions and information provided to you, yes it takes time but it can prevent you from running out of time forever (death).Death Mints

    DO NOT USE THE EMERGENCY ROOM AS A DOCTORS OFFICE !

This one is a big “bugaboo” for almost everyone in the health care business, I worked for a number of years in various emergency rooms in several parts of the country. Over use of the ER has long been a serious problem which is a prime cause of increased health care costs. This has been an issue for many years , now days many hospitals have “Rapid care clinics” of some sort at their facilities, there are after hours and emergent care clinics in almost every town and city. Use them. Use Nurse Practitioners and Physicians Assistants when those options are available they provide up-to-date levels of care, and are in it because they want to be. You will be seen quicker and referred when you have a problem out side their scope of practice and are better regulated than MD’s.
    Emergency Rooms are very expensive to staff and are almost always the least profitable cost center in the Hospital. Charges in other hospital areas are kept high to off set losses in the emergency room. [The most profitable cost center in the Hospital is Cardiac Services. Unless it is an absolute emergency , Cardiac Catheritization, Angioplasty, Stinting and other such procedures should get a second look.] Emergency room care is expensive because NO licensed Emergency room can refuse care to you, Government regulations prevent it, besides insurance costs for hospitals , which is already astronomical would become galactic if a patient were turned away and were to suffer loss of limb or a have their illness extended.

CAUTION- DO NOT HESITATE TO USE THE EMERGENCY ROOM,IF YOU ARE EXPERIENCING  CHEST PAIN OR BREATHING DIFFICULTIES !

    Insurance, the big buzz word today.Malpractice insurance costs have driven many good Doctors out of practice , we have some areas of the country where Obstetrical services are almost non existent due to malpractice insurance costs. Insurances companies base all premiums including you health care  on “claims adjusted/paid” this number is calculated in two ways; First, how large is the pool of money “netted” from customers in a specific demographic vs. payment of claims, and claims adjusted down and Second- [this is a biggie] how much money was paid in settlements in suits brought against medical practitioners and medical facilities in the same demographic regardless of which insurance company paid them. Yes, your insurance company charges you if someone wins a large claim against a Doctor or medical facility even if they did not pay the claim. Why? - if a precedence is set by suits filed and won in your demographic chances are they will get hit also. Who is to blame ? TRIAL LAWYERS- NUISANCE SUITS- STUPID GREEDY PEOPLE.

I know this may be boring to some of you, My purpose is to provide, as best as I can, information and observations which effect the issue of Health Care in America. An issue which this Administration has made its primary goal and on which the November Election may hinge.

There is more to come , Part FOUR soon.