[Info-vax] Down Again

[David J Dachtera]

JF Mezei wrote:
> 
> On the subject of medical reform in the USA.
> 
> I am in Canada.
> 
> My now deceased aunt had lived in California most fo her life, and
> looked down on our medical system calling it "socialized medecine" etc
> etc. But when some of her friends saw their cancer treatments refused by
> insurance companies, she mellowed her stance a little bit...

With all the hoo-hah about so-called "death panels", it is important to
note that we already have them - they're called "health insurance
companies". RNs and LPNs are second-guessing MDs with the end result
that a great deal of legal wrangling is needed to get insurance
companies to honor their contractual obligations.

> Is there widespread feeling that there needs to be radical changes in
> how the USA medical system works, or is the majority happy with how it
> works and don't want it tampered with ?

Those who have never had a vital procedure denied for coverage are happy
with it. Those who have lost loved ones because vital procedures were
denied coverage are outraged.

> From a financial point of view, the USA is the country with the highest
> (or one of the highest) per capita spending on health care,

Recall that you must temper this with the fact that procedures,
pharmceuticals, prosthetics, etc. also cost vastly more in this country
than they do elsewhere, which is why some Americans seek to acquire them
elsewhere.

> and this
> affect the competitivity of USA products and services against countries
> whose health care costs are lower.

Ah. I see you corrected yourself. Quite so.

D.J.D.