Comments on: A Modest Proposal http://www.anwyn.com/2007/06/19/a-modest-proposal/ Sometime editor, all-the-time mother, delivering facts, reviews, commentary, and rants. Occasionally in that order. Fri, 05 Dec 2008 04:13:42 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.4 by: Anwyn http://www.anwyn.com/2007/06/19/a-modest-proposal/#comment-53653 Thu, 21 Jun 2007 15:36:36 +0000 http://www.anwyn.com/2007/06/19/a-modest-proposal/#comment-53653 If by "limited access" you mean "requires a prescription," I'm afraid I don't consider it at all unreasonable or unrealistic for people to shell out for the cost of two doctor visits per year to keep those prescriptions current. It will certainly be more difficult to go *back* to that now that everybody's used to paying $10 and letting insurance pick up the rest of the tab, but I still don't consider it unrealistic. People adapt to what they have to, generally. Let's say a person has two prescriptions they need to keep current, one mystery illness, one sprained ankle, and let's say they're conscientious enough to go in for a yearly checkup. That's five appointments, except that they can get their allergy med re-prescribed at their checkup appointment, making four. Let's say their GP is competent to assess their general health for purposes of prescribing the birth control--which, my last GP certainly wanted to do that double duty so that she wouldn't lose my business to an OB-GYN. That cuts it to three. I still don't consider that an unreasonable or unrealistic amount of money for somebody to shell out on a yearly basis. I've no doubt you're right on about malpractice; however, if you want to talk "unrealistic," thinking there could be a time when doctors wouldn't have to carry that insurance at all, as your ortho said, is a bit of a pipe dream. Cutting it way down, though, is probably within the realm of possibility and definitely should be one ingredient in the process. If by “limited access” you mean “requires a prescription,” I’m afraid I don’t consider it at all unreasonable or unrealistic for people to shell out for the cost of two doctor visits per year to keep those prescriptions current. It will certainly be more difficult to go *back* to that now that everybody’s used to paying $10 and letting insurance pick up the rest of the tab, but I still don’t consider it unrealistic. People adapt to what they have to, generally. Let’s say a person has two prescriptions they need to keep current, one mystery illness, one sprained ankle, and let’s say they’re conscientious enough to go in for a yearly checkup. That’s five appointments, except that they can get their allergy med re-prescribed at their checkup appointment, making four. Let’s say their GP is competent to assess their general health for purposes of prescribing the birth control–which, my last GP certainly wanted to do that double duty so that she wouldn’t lose my business to an OB-GYN. That cuts it to three. I still don’t consider that an unreasonable or unrealistic amount of money for somebody to shell out on a yearly basis.

I’ve no doubt you’re right on about malpractice; however, if you want to talk “unrealistic,” thinking there could be a time when doctors wouldn’t have to carry that insurance at all, as your ortho said, is a bit of a pipe dream. Cutting it way down, though, is probably within the realm of possibility and definitely should be one ingredient in the process.

]]> by: thelmajoy http://www.anwyn.com/2007/06/19/a-modest-proposal/#comment-53638 Thu, 21 Jun 2007 14:37:30 +0000 http://www.anwyn.com/2007/06/19/a-modest-proposal/#comment-53638 Allen: No worries. I find that my horns are very useful in getting people to see things my way, if only by sheer intimidation. : ) Anwyn: I like your train of thought. However, due to the current restraints and limited access to basic prescription drugs like birth control and allergy meds, it is unrealistic to expect the general population to shell out the cost of an office visit for legitimate appointments with doctors. The real problem with the healthcare system in this country is not the insurance system, it is the lawsuits. Malpractice risk is one of the primary reasons for soaring healthcare costs and hence the soaring cost of coverage. An orthopedic surgeon once told me he would cut all of his fees in half if he didn't have to carry malpractice insurance. Malpractice suits are so out of control that many communities are struggling to keep OB/GYNs to deliver babies because the statute of limitations on suing the doc that delivered your child is 18 years. It is our ridiculous and "sue happy" society that is partially to blame for the predicament we call healthcare in this country. Still, we are far better off than the socialists. At least I know if I need a major surgery, I don't have to wait in line. Allen: No worries. I find that my horns are very useful in getting people to see things my way, if only by sheer intimidation. : )

Anwyn: I like your train of thought. However, due to the current restraints and limited access to basic prescription drugs like birth control and allergy meds, it is unrealistic to expect the general population to shell out the cost of an office visit for legitimate appointments with doctors.

The real problem with the healthcare system in this country is not the insurance system, it is the lawsuits. Malpractice risk is one of the primary reasons for soaring healthcare costs and hence the soaring cost of coverage. An orthopedic surgeon once told me he would cut all of his fees in half if he didn’t have to carry malpractice insurance. Malpractice suits are so out of control that many communities are struggling to keep OB/GYNs to deliver babies because the statute of limitations on suing the doc that delivered your child is 18 years. It is our ridiculous and “sue happy” society that is partially to blame for the predicament we call healthcare in this country.

Still, we are far better off than the socialists. At least I know if I need a major surgery, I don’t have to wait in line.

]]> by: Allen http://www.anwyn.com/2007/06/19/a-modest-proposal/#comment-53249 Wed, 20 Jun 2007 14:42:07 +0000 http://www.anwyn.com/2007/06/19/a-modest-proposal/#comment-53249 I don't claim to know what the answer to our current situation (OK, sometimes I do), but I think you're exactly right about the way health "insurance" is perceived and used in this country. Insurance is supposed to be for the surprises in life. Of course, when I say stuff like that at family gatherings and whatnot, I'm looked upon as if I have suddenly sprouted horns. Odd that. I sprouted horns years ago. I'm told my insurance plan won't cover their removal. Just as well. I don’t claim to know what the answer to our current situation (OK, sometimes I do), but I think you’re exactly right about the way health “insurance” is perceived and used in this country. Insurance is supposed to be for the surprises in life.

Of course, when I say stuff like that at family gatherings and whatnot, I’m looked upon as if I have suddenly sprouted horns. Odd that. I sprouted horns years ago. I’m told my insurance plan won’t cover their removal. Just as well.

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