What can we do about health care?

Question:

I've been in health care for almost 20 years. I've worked in hospitals and clinics , and have done temp work in many different locations and regions of the US. The abuse of the system is disgusting. First by patients. People come to the ER for colds, belly aches, and so many ridiculous things that normal people just go to the pharmacy for or stay in bed. Second by doctors. Billions of bogus tests and even surgeries. That just aren't needed. They straight out lie to the insurance companies to get them covered. They do it all for A) Money, and B) fear of lawsuits. Nobody will give definite answers. All tests just lead to another. It pays the bills so that we can care for actual sick patients who need it, but there has to be a better way. If Universal Health care means our tax money paying for EVERYONE to abuse the system even more, I'm not sure it's the way. There would have to be co-pays to minimize patient abuse, and serious guidelines and regulation to prevent doctor abuse. That of course would mean more bureaucratic BS

Answers:
The first thing we must do is educate ourselves properly and once we do this we can collectively have an impact so vast so large that will eventually get attention from the media and force change in a must do fashion.

Of course this wouldn't be easy, it takes time and it takes determination on our behalf, the ability of others who are very skillful in coordinating such an gathering as well as events that would effect everyone with the capacity to compel change for the better that would encompass a solution for all.

For all those who need an alternative I found this helpful;
http://www.saveonhealth.cidental.com... or
http://www.mybenefitsplus.com/40513701...

National Healthcare...hmmm..funny...wor... quite fine in my country

Employer-paid health insurance benefits really should be counted as income to the individuals so lucky to get such rewards.

Universal Health care is affordable if that is a requirement for all to gain residency in a country. Indeed, if we don't request health insurance nationally, then the states that do require insurance won't be burdened with illegal immigrants. There should be a three-tiered policy plan of coverages for the level of protection desired. The patient should have to pay upfront for non-emergency health needs and apply for reimbursement.

That's how it works in Germany. It is horse-hockey that essential medical care is not available in Germany. Only the specialties such as eye examinations have a long advance appointment time.

There are an incredible number of things that need to be done. My feeling is that all the problems should be identified and then possible solutions should be listed and then decisions should be made. Right now, nothing is being done. It does need to be managed.

If some rich person wants to go to the ER for a cold, let him, but I think you are talking mostly about people who show up with no intention of paying. People get sick every hour of every day of the week. Therefore, some doctors' offices should be open at 6:00 AM and at 11:00 PM and on weekends. Urgent care should run from night time to morning. If someone walks into the emergency room, that person should pay the differential between the doctor's office or the urgent care center upfront or show a top-of-the-line insurance card.

Obviously, there needs to be research done on what tests need to be run under what circumstances.

I think the big problem is the lack of insurance among the working poor which basically forces the middle class to pay more to cover non-payments. There are a lot of possible solutions for this. One is to have 1st year nurse practitioners provide most of basic treatment at deep discounts. Another is to allow the uninsured to tap into their social security. Let's say someone racks up 25K in medical fees. At retirement that person would get $400 per month instead of $600 per month. It would mean living with relatives or living in another country, but the medical costs would be covered and the middle class wouldn't be stuck. Studies have shown that midwife births are no more risky than hospital births. This is a possible solution for the uninsured.

It's a big mess that's for sure. You left out outrageous pharmaceutical costs.
I lived in England for 30 years so am used to Universal Health care & it worked well until thousands of people from other countries came to get their free surgeries!
From a patients point of view it's better because when you go to the doctor he's more likely to tell you the truth. They are not going to do bogus tests & surgeries because they don't make extra money for doing them. Prescriptions are all a specific price.
I have Kaiser insurance here & it sucks. Just this week I tried to change a prescription because of horrible side effects from my present one. The doctor said he wasn't 'allowed' to prescribe the one I wanted BUT could write a prescription & I could buy it on my own @ $524 for a months supply. We pay this health 'business' $900 a month!!!!!!
What some people don't know is that Universal Health is funded from earnings so people that work automatically get it & it's nowhere near the cost of even a HMO in the States. You can buy extra insurance if you want & are wealthy enough. The big problem is what to do about the free loaders. These are probably some of the people you saw coming to emergency rooms for a cold because they don't have health insurance (or a job).
I don't think any worker would resent the elderly or handicapped being covered but I think even people on welfare should contribute to health care. It should be taken out of their checks before they get it.
We recently had a case in CA where an elderly man pretended to have a gun to hold up a bank so he would be arrested & get health care in prison. Kinda makes you want to puke doesn't it!!!!!

soory

What can we do about health care?

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