One very very easy and simple way to cut health care costs 50% tomorrow:

[EdwardBaiamonte]

pass a law today requiring published prices in a comparable way.

 

[Luddly Neddite]

Why do you keep posting this same thread?

Scared to go back and address the posts in the last time you posted it?

No matter how many times he gets his head handed to him. SpecialEdDear never learns, never changes.

 

[EdwardBaiamonte]

Scared to go back and address the posts in the last time you posted it?
.

what posts?????????????????

 

[MikeK]

I once noticed a rapidly swelling infected finger on a Friday afternoon too late to bring it to my GP, so I went to the local emergency room. There I waited two hours to be interviewed by a social worker, then waited another two hours to be "seen" by a tired, annoyed intern who decided the infection needed to be drained -- which it didn't. All I needed was a prescription for penicillin (I've had that problem before).

Bottom line; after a painful, wholly unnecessary swipe with a scalpel, a sloppy, bulky bandage and a prescription for some exotic antibiotic, my insurer (GHI) was billed $430 and I had a $165 co-pay. Five hundred and ninety-five dollars for a lot of wasteful bureaucratic bullshit and absolutely redundant medical attention.

I've had that problem before (for some reason I am prone to infected fingers if I get the slightest cut). It happened twice when I was in the Marines. Each time it happened I simply walked into Sick Bay, an enlisted Navy Medical Corpsman took a look at the finger, handed me a little box of penicillin tablets -- and next day the infection was completely gone.

The point I wish to make is there is a compelling need for walk-in clinics staffed by former military medics and civilian EMTs who know how to diagnose and treat minor problems, which account for 90% (or more) of all emergency room visits. Those occasional problems which are over the heads of these medics can be referred to an ER if a physician is not present at the clinic.

These walk-in clinics would eliminate the need for attention by physicians thus dramatically reducing the consequent health care costs. I believe such a situation exists in Cuba, where the health care system is vastly superior to ours. The first step toward implementing such a system here in the U.S. would be to crush the health insurance industry, which is represented by an extremely powerful (well financed) Washington lobby.

There are thousands of highly experienced military medics, nurses, and EMTs whose acquired expertise would qualify them to provide a function which does not require the attention of an MD.

 

[Mr Natural]

Why do you keep posting this same thread?

Scared to go back and address the posts in the last time you posted it?

No matter how many times he gets his head handed to him. SpecialEdDear never learns, never changes.

Sorry, but you're wrong.

Last time Special Ed posted this crap it was an 80 percent cut in costs.

 

[EdwardBaiamonte]

I once noticed a rapidly swelling infected finger on a Friday afternoon too late to bring it to my GP, so I went to the local emergency room. There I waited two hours to be interviewed by a social worker, then waited another two hours to be "seen" by a tired, annoyed intern who decided the infection needed to be drained -- which it didn't. All I needed was a prescription for penicillin (I've had that problem before).

Bottom line; after a painful, wholly unnecessary swipe with a scalpel, a sloppy, bulky bandage and a prescription for some exotic antibiotic, my insurer (GHI) was billed $430 and I had a $165 co-pay. Five hundred and ninety-five dollars for a lot of wasteful bureaucratic bullshit and absolutely redundant medical attention.

I've had that problem before (for some reason I am prone to infected fingers if I get the slightest cut). It happened twice when I was in the Marines. Each time it happened I simply walked into Sick Bay, an enlisted Navy Medical Corpsman took a look at the finger, handed me a little box of penicillin tablets -- and next day the infection was completely gone.

The point I wish to make is there is a compelling need for walk-in clinics staffed by former military medics and civilian EMTs who know how to diagnose and treat minor problems, which account for 90% (or more) of all emergency room visits. Those occasional problems which are over the heads of these medics can be referred to an ER if a physician is not present at the clinic.

These walk-in clinics would eliminate the need for attention by physicians thus dramatically reducing the consequent health care costs. I believe such a situation exists in Cuba, where the health care system is vastly superior to ours. The first step toward implementing such a system here in the U.S. would be to crush the health insurance industry, which is represented by an extremely powerful (well financed) Washington lobby.

There are thousands of highly experienced military medics, nurses, and EMTs whose acquired expertise would qualify them to provide a function which does not require the attention of an MD.

We already have local clinics, ER's, doctors offices, immediate care facilities, hospitals. etc etc. All we need is published prices and then to let Republican capitalism take care of the rest. Do you understand?

 

[EdwardBaiamonte]

it was an 80 percent cut in costs.

health care costs would be cut in half with just published prices, 80% with full capitalism. Now do you understand?

 

[Darkwind]

A better idea.

Outlaw the practice of insurance for health care.

Medical facilities won't stay in business if they don't charge what the patient can pay. Do away with the deep pockets of insurance and you'll drop prices over 70%.

 

[MikeK]

I once noticed a rapidly swelling infected finger on a Friday afternoon too late to bring it to my GP, so I went to the local emergency room. There I waited two hours to be interviewed by a social worker, then waited another two hours to be "seen" by a tired, annoyed intern who decided the infection needed to be drained -- which it didn't. All I needed was a prescription for penicillin (I've had that problem before).

Bottom line; after a painful, wholly unnecessary swipe with a scalpel, a sloppy, bulky bandage and a prescription for some exotic antibiotic, my insurer (GHI) was billed $430 and I had a $165 co-pay. Five hundred and ninety-five dollars for a lot of wasteful bureaucratic bullshit and absolutely redundant medical attention.

I've had that problem before (for some reason I am prone to infected fingers if I get the slightest cut). It happened twice when I was in the Marines. Each time it happened I simply walked into Sick Bay, an enlisted Navy Medical Corpsman took a look at the finger, handed me a little box of penicillin tablets -- and next day the infection was completely gone.

The point I wish to make is there is a compelling need for walk-in clinics staffed by former military medics and civilian EMTs who know how to diagnose and treat minor problems, which account for 90% (or more) of all emergency room visits. Those occasional problems which are over the heads of these medics can be referred to an ER if a physician is not present at the clinic.

These walk-in clinics would eliminate the need for attention by physicians thus dramatically reducing the consequent health care costs. I believe such a situation exists in Cuba, where the health care system is vastly superior to ours. The first step toward implementing such a system here in the U.S. would be to crush the health insurance industry, which is represented by an extremely powerful (well financed) Washington lobby.

There are thousands of highly experienced military medics, nurses, and EMTs whose acquired expertise would qualify them to provide a function which does not require the attention of an MD.

We already have local clinics, ER's, doctors offices, immediate care facilities, hospitals. etc etc. All we need is published prices and then to let Republican capitalism take care of the rest. Do you understand?

There are no such walk-in clinics near me, local or otherwise. And I'm sure my location, which is central New Jersey, is not unique. Do you understand that?

 

[Luddly Neddite]

I once noticed a rapidly swelling infected finger on a Friday afternoon too late to bring it to my GP, so I went to the local emergency room. There I waited two hours to be interviewed by a social worker, then waited another two hours to be "seen" by a tired, annoyed intern who decided the infection needed to be drained -- which it didn't. All I needed was a prescription for penicillin (I've had that problem before).

Bottom line; after a painful, wholly unnecessary swipe with a scalpel, a sloppy, bulky bandage and a prescription for some exotic antibiotic, my insurer (GHI) was billed $430 and I had a $165 co-pay. Five hundred and ninety-five dollars for a lot of wasteful bureaucratic bullshit and absolutely redundant medical attention.

I've had that problem before (for some reason I am prone to infected fingers if I get the slightest cut). It happened twice when I was in the Marines. Each time it happened I simply walked into Sick Bay, an enlisted Navy Medical Corpsman took a look at the finger, handed me a little box of penicillin tablets -- and next day the infection was completely gone.

The point I wish to make is there is a compelling need for walk-in clinics staffed by former military medics and civilian EMTs who know how to diagnose and treat minor problems, which account for 90% (or more) of all emergency room visits. Those occasional problems which are over the heads of these medics can be referred to an ER if a physician is not present at the clinic.

These walk-in clinics would eliminate the need for attention by physicians thus dramatically reducing the consequent health care costs. I believe such a situation exists in Cuba, where the health care system is vastly superior to ours. The first step toward implementing such a system here in the U.S. would be to crush the health insurance industry, which is represented by an extremely powerful (well financed) Washington lobby.

There are thousands of highly experienced military medics, nurses, and EMTs whose acquired expertise would qualify them to provide a function which does not require the attention of an MD.

You brought back a memory - in college, pulled open a heavy metal door that was stuck, wearing sandals and the door ripped off the top of my big toe.

Leaving a trail of blood, I went hunting for college nurse who turned out to be a Vietnam medic who was very cool and didn't get all hysterical about the rather nasty thing I had done to myself.

You have a good point about using the skills our people learned in war. That's what Obama and First Lady Michelle were talking about and what the Rs refused.

In theory, we have that now - in urgent care facilities but, as you say, they're manned by MDs.

Many won't like it but there is a fast growing underground of just the kind of medically trained people you describe, doing abortions in people's homes.

Another point about what you suggest is that if we changed to the type of system AND ATTITUDE we see in European countries, it would have the same effect.

In this country, we still see doctors as gods. In Europe (in my own experience), they are highly skilled but so are ancillary positions.

I was stunned at what I found in pharmacies. They were as well trained as our MDs and paid as well as their MDs.

 

[Luddly Neddite]

I once noticed a rapidly swelling infected finger on a Friday afternoon too late to bring it to my GP, so I went to the local emergency room. There I waited two hours to be interviewed by a social worker, then waited another two hours to be "seen" by a tired, annoyed intern who decided the infection needed to be drained -- which it didn't. All I needed was a prescription for penicillin (I've had that problem before).

Bottom line; after a painful, wholly unnecessary swipe with a scalpel, a sloppy, bulky bandage and a prescription for some exotic antibiotic, my insurer (GHI) was billed $430 and I had a $165 co-pay. Five hundred and ninety-five dollars for a lot of wasteful bureaucratic bullshit and absolutely redundant medical attention.

I've had that problem before (for some reason I am prone to infected fingers if I get the slightest cut). It happened twice when I was in the Marines. Each time it happened I simply walked into Sick Bay, an enlisted Navy Medical Corpsman took a look at the finger, handed me a little box of penicillin tablets -- and next day the infection was completely gone.

The point I wish to make is there is a compelling need for walk-in clinics staffed by former military medics and civilian EMTs who know how to diagnose and treat minor problems, which account for 90% (or more) of all emergency room visits. Those occasional problems which are over the heads of these medics can be referred to an ER if a physician is not present at the clinic.

These walk-in clinics would eliminate the need for attention by physicians thus dramatically reducing the consequent health care costs. I believe such a situation exists in Cuba, where the health care system is vastly superior to ours. The first step toward implementing such a system here in the U.S. would be to crush the health insurance industry, which is represented by an extremely powerful (well financed) Washington lobby.

There are thousands of highly experienced military medics, nurses, and EMTs whose acquired expertise would qualify them to provide a function which does not require the attention of an MD.

We already have local clinics, ER's, doctors offices, immediate care facilities, hospitals. etc etc. All we need is published prices and then to let Republican capitalism take care of the rest. Do you understand?

There are no such walk-in clinics near me, local or otherwise. And I'm sure my location, which is central New Jersey, is not unique. Do you understand that?

Moreover, losing ObamaCare will also mean losing hospitals and clinics. Ronnie RayGun's EMTALA was so costly, many were already put out of business. Thanks to EMTALA, we have also lost most of our trauma and burn centers. Planned Parenthood has served that purpose for a long time and they will be gone as well.

Bottom line is that many people will have no access to affordable care.

 

[EdwardBaiamonte]

There are no such walk-in clinics near me, local or otherwise. And I'm sure my location, which is central New Jersey, is not unique. Do you understand that?

If I said there were walk in clinics in your area I will pay you $10,000. Bet? Do you know what a strawman is??

 

[EdwardBaiamonte]

Bottom line is that many people will have no access to affordable care.

120 million slowly starved in USSR and Red China. Bottom line is nothing is affordable when you have libsocialism

 

[Mr Natural]

Is healthcare really the kind of thing that you want to leave to the low bidder?

 

[EdwardBaiamonte]

I once noticed a rapidly swelling infected finger on a Friday afternoon too late to bring it to my GP, so I went to the local emergency room. There I waited two hours to be interviewed by a social worker, then waited another two hours to be "seen" by a tired, annoyed intern who decided the infection needed to be drained -- which it didn't. All I needed was a prescription for penicillin (I've had that problem before).

Bottom line; after a painful, wholly unnecessary swipe with a scalpel, a sloppy, bulky bandage and a prescription for some exotic antibiotic, my insurer (GHI) was billed $430 and I had a $165 co-pay. Five hundred and ninety-five dollars for a lot of wasteful bureaucratic bullshit and absolutely redundant medical attention.

I've had that problem before (for some reason I am prone to infected fingers if I get the slightest cut). It happened twice when I was in the Marines. Each time it happened I simply walked into Sick Bay, an enlisted Navy Medical Corpsman took a look at the finger, handed me a little box of penicillin tablets -- and next day the infection was completely gone.

The point I wish to make is there is a compelling need for walk-in clinics staffed by former military medics and civilian EMTs who know how to diagnose and treat minor problems, which account for 90% (or more) of all emergency room visits. Those occasional problems which are over the heads of these medics can be referred to an ER if a physician is not present at the clinic.

These walk-in clinics would eliminate the need for attention by physicians thus dramatically reducing the consequent health care costs. I believe such a situation exists in Cuba, where the health care system is vastly superior to ours. The first step toward implementing such a system here in the U.S. would be to crush the health insurance industry, which is represented by an extremely powerful (well financed) Washington lobby.

There are thousands of highly experienced military medics, nurses, and EMTs whose acquired expertise would qualify them to provide a function which does not require the attention of an MD.

You brought back a memory - in college, pulled open a heavy metal door that was stuck, wearing sandals and the door ripped off the top of my big toe.

Leaving a trail of blood, I went hunting for college nurse who turned out to be a Vietnam medic who was very cool and didn't get all hysterical about the rather nasty thing I had done to myself.

You have a good point about using the skills our people learned in war. That's what Obama and First Lady Michelle were talking about and what the Rs refused.

In theory, we have that now - in urgent care facilities but, as you say, they're manned by MDs.

Many won't like it but there is a fast growing underground of just the kind of medically trained people you describe, doing abortions in people's homes.

Another point about what you suggest is that if we changed to the type of system AND ATTITUDE we see in European countries, it would have the same effect.

In this country, we still see doctors as gods. In Europe (in my own experience), they are highly skilled but so are ancillary positions.

I was stunned at what I found in pharmacies. They were as well trained as our MDs and paid as well as their MDs.

capitalism frees up most people to practice medicine. It is only govt regulation by special interests that prevents it now

 

[EdwardBaiamonte]

Is healthcare really the kind of thing that you want to leave to the low bidder?

more than anything since it is so expensive

 

[MikeK]

120 million slowly starved in USSR and Red China. Bottom line is nothing is affordable when you have libsocialism

There is a difference in the success potential of socialist programs operating within a comparatively wealthy nation such as the U.S. vs those which are attempting to operate within impoverished nations such as the USSR and Red China. Think of socialism as the optimal way to distribute a nation's wealth resource. But socialism cannot work if there is no wealth to distribute.

Briefly stated, capitalism is a very good economic system. But unless it is regulated by certain socialist policies it inevitably will devolve into a two-class system of redundant wealth and extreme poverty -- which is the direction the U.S. is presently moving in.

 

[MikeK]

capitalism frees up most people to practice medicine. It is only govt regulation by special interests that prevents it now

Then why is Cuba's health care system far superior to ours in terms of universal health care? Cuba is one example of extreme socialism.

Cuba's Health Care System: a Model for the World | The Huffington Post

 

[Shrimpbox]

Mike k and luddly offer a perfect picture of our health care system. If everyone was as sane as mike we would have no problems, but mike forgets that democratic trial,lawyers are following most patients around, don't think they have those in European countries luddly. And unfortunately not all the patients are ex military and commonsensical. Health care costs are through the roof because of so many unnecessary tests ordered by doctors who are afraid of being sued and paying even more insurance because of democratic trial lawyers. Liberals of course will not address this.

The underground care is nothing more than a form of concierge care and I am all for it. I suspect the problem comes when it is time to prescribe medication. If something is not done to stop the upward creep of drugs, groceries, and medical treatment we are all going to be in a heap of hurt. But people like luddly who try to characterize all healthcare problems as the result of one party's actions are really the cause of the problem. Your man had it for eight years and he just screwed it up worse.

 

[Shrimpbox]

If Cuba had unlimited emigration there would not be any doctors in Cuba.