There’s a lot of messed up things in this world. One is our nations health insurance system. Medical costs are sky high, and there’s a lot of debate on what to do about it. Frankly, I’ve been racking my brain trying to come up with a viable alternative that would solve the crisis without violating my principles. So far, I’ve got nothing.
However, Reason has an interesting article today that really takes a look at health care reform and lays out some facts that proponents of universal health care would do well to understand.
One of the most telling facts is that the idea of rationed health care has, indeed, been tried here in the United States. I never thought of it that way, because it was called “managed care” and it was a nightmare. Health insurance carriers stepped in and said “no, you can’t have that procedure because it’s to expensive,” or whatever reason they may have had, and that was that. Really though, it’s no different than the rationed health care that some administration officials have proposed. All require a third party being part of the decision process, rather than it just being the patient and the doctor.
Now, this made me think a bit. I’d like to ask you, when was the last time you really felt a part of your health care team? When did you doctor really talk with you and the two of you reach a decision on your health care? I’m fortunate, in that my doctor does listen to me, and while we don’t discuss treatment most of the time, it’s because we’re already on the same page. But I have a medical background, and my doctor knows it. Most folks don’t question their doctors on treatment options, and they probably should.
If someone goes to buy a television, they may do research of some type. Maybe they ask a friend what they bought and why. Maybe they do some internet research. Whatever they do, they do a little looking into what they’re getting before they buy. This is true with almost any product, from mp3 players to cars, they do some due diligence and figure out what’s best for them.
And yet, with the most important possession anyone could own, their own body, none of that is done. People take their doctor’s word at face value without even asking about less costly alternatives. Would it do any good? Maybe, maybe not. But it would make things a little different if people would quit pretending to be part of the decision making process and actually stepped up and were a real part of that process.
And who knows…it might just do the same thing as President Obama is wanting done in regards to prices, without the government having to get involved.
