I'm not sure why but I have yet to see the root problem with government writing a prescription for America's health care needs articulated using an easy to verify example.
The fact is, the root problem doesn't involve the debate over inclusion of a government option, it goes far far deeper then that; to the root of governments involvement in the health care process.
Most of us feel it deep down but don't really realize what the problem is. Perhaps that is because many people see evidence of what bothers them on a daily basis right there on their own television without even realizing it!
Government Central Planning of medical care through the Medicare system lead to the brilliantly idiotic idea that catheters could and should be reused. Medicare only covered 4 a month under the old ruling, today they cover up to 200.
People either had to pay for additional catheters or, it was recommended that users BOIL AND REUSE THEM. Seriously, grab a pan, we're cooking up a wonderful plan for your health! If you have had two (2) serious urinary tract infections in the past you could get yours covered -- that's right, you had go through the pain and risk twice.
Here is the kicker:
Even after the governments own FDA changed the labeling of catheters making them one time use products they were not covered!
Since the governments centrally planned Medicare system determined reuse was okay almost all private insurance companies followed suit! With the change in the ruling most insurances have changed their coverage as well.
This went on for DECADES!
It took people getting upset and finally getting a congressman to act -- that is not how we want our medical care coverage determined, via congressional fiat?
The key point -- when the government sets rules of coverage, for whatever reason (and you just know it will get political -- God forbid you get a disease out of favor with today's political will) the entire industry follows. Doctors change their recommendations, insurers change their coverage. Having the same policy as the government keeps you just one more step away from the lawyers!
The public option is not the devil, the devil is in the details of any program that offers or requires central planning by the government or any entity they set up. Leave the planning to your own doctors!
Governmental Central Planning is almost always the worst solution to even simple problems, and we know from history that it is a joke when it comes to larger issues!
Increase competition in both the insurance and the medical sides of the business, reduce government interference, and reform medical malpractice, that should be all the involvement the government should have in your health care!
DKK
Medicare Changes Catheter Ruling -- IC Disease Today
Update: It gets even better -- did you know that the Baucus plan included a tax on all medical devices? This tax would increase the cost to everyone. Initially it was all devices, tongue depressors, catheters, etc. but the saw some wisdom in that an have now increased that to items priced over $100. But does that make any sense? Imagine you need a prosthetic, or a back brace due to an accident -- you now will pay more for those, already very expensive items! Literally adding insult to injury! And as Hot Air points out this includes powered breast milk pumps!
Amazing, the ,"Boil it and reuse it," mentality will flourish even more then today -- seriously, do they even care about us at all because if they did they wouldn't be pulling this crap!
DKK
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