Healthcare update — before the Summit

Posted on February 24th, 2010 by ecthompson

I just spoke with McJoan about the health care debate. We took about 15-20 minutes to discuss the recent developments in this healthcare debate.

As a trauma surgeon, I’ve been following this healthcare debate extremely intensely over the last few years. I would like to briefly tell you a story about how healthcare (single-payer — government payer) is so critical. The folks on Capitol Hill are heading in the wrong direction. This is a story that can happen to almost any of us.

A 25-year-old gentleman presents to the emergency room by helicopter. He is in extremis — his blood pressure is low and he is having difficulty breathing. 30 minutes ago, he was a perfectly healthy 25-year-old. He had no medical problems. He has no pre-existing conditions. He works in construction and has no health insurance. He simply lost control of his car on the extremely slick ice. His car slid off the road and down an embankment. He now has 2 broken legs and a broken arm. He has multiple rib fractures. Now what? With appropriate care, in six months, this young man can be as good as new. He can go back and be a productive citizens of our society. He should be able to get married and have kids like every other American. In order to get from this critical scene in the emergency room to a Norman Rockwell painting, he is going to need proximally five — seven surgeries, a stay in intensive care and extensive rehabilitation. His hospital bill will be well over a quarter million dollars.

Now, to get to my point, what is going to be discussed tomorrow at the Summit that’s going to help this 25-year-old? We need real healthcare reform in order to help Americans. We need something that is going to control costs, increase access and is portable. I’m not sure the public option comes close to this yardstick. I know that Ed Schultz and others are pushing this and that’s fine. The public option is better than nothing. It help control the premium increases that we’ve seen.

It appears that Representative Stupak has raised its ugly head, again. He does not seem to be focused on the millions of Americans in need help. We are focused on getting healthcare to millions of Americans and he is concentrating on abortion. Why? Write an anti-abortion bill if that is what he is interested in. This is not an abortion bill. It just isn’t.

I think the best that we can hope for out of the Summit is that the Republicans reveal themselves to the American people. I am hoping that the American people see that they are nothing but surrogates of big business. I hope the American people see that they have no ideas on how to seriously curb the rising costs of healthcare. That’s my hope. Maybe, I’m hoping too much.

 
icon for podpress  The Errington Thompson Show - Pre-HealthCare Summit Report [19:51m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Tags: Healthcare, Obama administration // View Comments

  • MH
    They already control the farms. They subsidize them to death to grow what the government wants them to grow.... Have you not seen how much corn has hurt the whole world food supply to supply ethanol.... Where have you been?

    That is okay I still try and change things that are sooo screwed up in Utah by contacting my state reps and writing to the editor of the paper. They do print my ops on occasion. (Only allowed one every 3 months) There is NOTHING I can do to effect Congress as a whole and can only try and change where I live. Utah is pretty screwed up with it being 80 percent controlled by the LDS Republicans and that isn't going to change. Good Luck to you in your state. Our state legislature just told 3000 people sorry on covering your cancer and prenatal care. you are on our medicaid chop list.
  • MH
    They already control the farms. They subsidize them to death to grow what the government wants them to grow.... Have you not seen how much corn has hurt the whole world food supply to supply ethanol.... Where have you been? 

    That is okay I still try and change things that are sooo screwed up in Utah by contacting my state reps and writing to the editor of the paper. They do print my ops on occasion. (Only allowed one every 3 months)  There is NOTHING I can do to effect Congress as a whole and can only try and change where I live. Utah is pretty screwed up with it being 80 percent controlled by the LDS Republicans and that isn't going to change.  Good Luck to you in your state. Our state legislature just told 3000 people sorry on covering your cancer and prenatal care. you are on our medicaid chop list.
  • ecthompson
    I'm sorry, I don't see the parallel.

  • ecthompson
    I'm sorry, I don't see the parallel.
  • MH
    I don't agree the statesare onemore person involved between you and the doctor.Only this time it is based on what is in the state coiffers.Who determines who gets covered? Nope the states shouldn't decide it should be the same for the whole country. The standardsneed to be the same. Why should aperson be punished for notbeing able to being treated or for being vaccinated for living in the wrong state.
  • MH
    I don't agree the states are one more person involved between you and the doctor. Only this time it is based on what is in the state coiffers. Who determines who gets covered? Nope the states shouldn't decide it should be the same for the whole country. The standards need to be the same. Why should a person be punished for not being able to being treated or for being vaccinated for living in the wrong state.
  • Joe White
    MH,

    You just read my comment that the states should regulate insurance.

    Did you not understand it?
  • Joe White
    MH,

    You just read my comment that the states should regulate insurance.

    Did you not understand it?
  • Joe White
    Should a widow be allowed to take out a life insurance policy on the departed spouse so that she can collect?
  • Joe White
    Should a widow be allowed to take out a life insurance policy on the departed spouse so that she can collect?
  • Joe White
    If health care is a 'right', should the government take control of the farms to insure we all have nutritious food?

    Food is more vital to health than insurance, is it not?
  • Joe White
    If health care is a 'right', should the government take control of the farms to insure we all have nutritious food?

    Food is more vital to health than insurance, is it not?
  • MH
    I understand you want the private sector to handle this and let it be as it is. So only the lucky ones are able to be healthy. So be it for the unlucky. But when you live among others that don't have coverage and you then risk your own health for the diseases they might have. If the governement didn;t require kids to be immunized before school we would be losing kids to all sorts of diseases. The private sector won't cover do things if their elite board members and stock holders don;t reap in the money. The funny thing is the stock holders of all these companies are probably not even US citizens and they are the ones determining who has coverage
  • MH
    Iunderstand you want the private sector to handle this and let it be as it is. So only the lucky ones are able to be healthy. So be it for the unlucky. But when you live among others that don't have coverage and you then risk your own health for the diseases they might have. If the governement didn;t require kids to be immunized before school we would be losing kids to all sorts of diseases. The private sector won't cover do things if their elite board members and stock holders don;t reap in the money. The funny thing is the stock holders of all these companies are probably not even US citizens and they are the ones determining who has coverage
  • MH
    The news the other day was mentioning howa good section of thestates had not been paying into the pension funds they were suppose too. That they had been shifting the money to pay current costs and worrying about it later. Borrowing against it. Now how is that any better than what we have now.
  • MH
    The news the other day was mentioning how a good section of the states had not been paying into the pension funds they were suppose too. That they had been shifting the money to pay current costs and worrying about it later. Borrowing against it. Now how is that any better than what we have now.
  • ecthompson
    Homes and people aren't the same thing.

    Nice try.
  • ecthompson
    Homes and people aren't the same thing. 

    Nice try.
  • ecthompson
    Nice comment! 8-)
  • ecthompson
    Nice comment!  8-)
  • ecthompson
    I have talked about many of the issues that you have pointed out in the links. I appreciate your thoughts. You are 100% correct but it will be extremely difficult to start a new party. Dems and R's have some states completely locked up.

    Thanks again.
  • ecthompson
    I have talked about many of the issues that you have pointed out in the links. I appreciate your thoughts. You are 100% correct but it will be extremely difficult to start a new party. Dems and R's have some states completely locked up. 

    Thanks again.
  • ecthompson
    Joe - 

    I appreciate you providing this document. I have quickly scanned it and haven't found the information that you pointed to. I will read it more detail later on this evening. 

    Thanks again.
  • ecthompson
    Joe -

    I appreciate you providing this document. I have quickly scanned it and haven't found the information that you pointed to. I will read it more detail later on this evening.

    Thanks again.
  • ecthompson
    we can start with Max Baucus and Kent Conrad. 2 huge problems. They are weighing us down. 

    Thanks for your comments.
  • ecthompson
    we can start with Max Baucus and Kent Conrad. 2 huge problems. They are weighing us down.

    Thanks for your comments.
  • ShelbW
    I can simplify it for you, Joe, since you seem to be having a problem here:

    Health care is a right. Home ownership is not.

    The physical status of an inanimate object, such as a house, is in no way comparable to the health and well-being of a living human being. Period
  • ShelbW
    I can simplify it for you, Joe, since you seem to be having a problem here:

    Health care is a right. Home ownership is not.

    The physical status of an inanimate object, such as a house, is in no way comparable to the health and well-being of a living human being. Period
  • Joe White
    If I was uninsured and had a major accident such as this, I would have no problem paying back the hospital and doctor for the rest of my life after they put me back together.

    Why would I?

    Should I expect them to work for free?

    Why would you stiff someone who saves your life or restores your health?
  • Joe White
    If I was uninsured and had a major accident such as this, I would have no problem paying back the hospital and doctor for the rest of my life after they put me back together.

    Why would I?

    Should I expect them to work for free?

    Why would you stiff someone who saves your life or restores your health?
  • sharonsj
    The outrage is on our parts, not with the Republican minority.  At least some Dems are concerned about the problem.

    I could not afford health insurance for seven years.  I just prayed each time I got into a car.  I also could not afford home owners insurance; if the house burned down, I'd be in the same place if I had an accident: totally screwed.
  • sharonsj
    The outrage is on our parts, not with the Republican minority. At least some Dems are concerned about the problem.

    I could not afford health insurance for seven years. I just prayed each time I got into a car. I also could not afford home owners insurance; if the house burned down, I'd be in the same place if I had an accident: totally screwed.
  • Joe White
    MH,

    I have no problem with the states regulating insurance.

    The feds need to butt out. Simple.

    I don't want the same clowns who (for decades) have spent all the Social Security and Medicare money (that was supposed to be set aside for beneficiaries) to get access to a whole new pile of money.
  • Joe White
    MH,

    I have no problem with the states regulating insurance.

    The feds need to butt out. Simple.

    I don't want the same clowns who (for decades) have spent all the Social Security and Medicare money (that was supposed to be set aside for beneficiaries) to get access to a whole new pile of money.
  • MH
    Select Med Insurance in Utah refuses to cover pre existing conditions. Period... If the insurance companies really wanted more people covered then they would adopt the rules allowing people to enroll their kids no matter the age. It would lower healthcare costs all around. But then they wouldn't be able to charge 350 for a healthy 25 year old. It has to forced upon the insurance companies or another option has to be available.

    The government needs to at least pass segments of this bill or the whole thing and then fix what doesn't work properly in the future. Utah passes laws all the time and then has to fix it later. I am sure the states do too.

    It would enable more people to have coverage at a decent fee and help reduce costs. But they won't do it on their own.
  • MH
    Select Med Insurance in Utah refuses to cover pre existing conditions. Period... If the insurance companies really wanted more people covered then they would adopt the rules allowing people to enroll their kids no matter the age. It would lower healthcare costs all around. But then they wouldn't be able to charge 350 for a healthy 25 year old. It has to forced upon the insurance companies or another option has to be available.

    The government needs to at least pass segments of this bill or the whole thing and then fix what doesn't work properly in the future. Utah passeslaws all the time and then has to fix it later. I am sure the states do too.

    It would enable more people to have coverage at a decent fee and help reduce costs. But they won't do it on their own.
  • Joe White
    Lets first understand what happens with a 'pre-existing condition'

    "the exclusion period is limited to 12 months (18 months if you enrolled late in the health plan) and only applies to health conditions for which you sought treatment in the 6 months before you enrolled in the health plan."

    http://healthinsurance.about.com/od/healthinsurancebasics/a/preexisting_conditions_overview.htm

    It doesn't equate with 'not being able to get insurance in the future'.
  • Joe White
    Lets first understand what happens with a 'pre-existing condition'

    "the exclusion period is limited to 12 months (18 months if you enrolled late in the health plan) and only applies to health conditions for which you sought treatment in the 6 months before you enrolled in the health plan."

    http://healthinsurance.about.com/od/healthinsurancebasics/a/preexisting_conditions_overview.htm

    It doesn't equate with 'not being able to get insurance in the future'.
  • MH
    The punishment would be pre existing condition and would not be able to get insurance in the future. Also ruining his credit for the rest of his life unless he wins a lottery somewhere. The bankruptcy plan would be it and that is not how it should be.
    If the government had a plan that would allow single people to stay  on their parents plan longer then they would be covered prices would be lower. Why does the republicans fight even this proposal.  I would be happy to charge my son his share if i could cover him on my insurance until he got on his feet.
  • MH
    The punishment would be pre existing condition and would not be able to get insurance in the future. Also ruining his credit for the rest of his life unless he wins a lottery somewhere. The bankruptcy plan would be it and that is not how it should be.
    If the government had a plan that would allow single people to stay on their parents plan longer then they would be covered prices would be lower. Why does the republicans fight even this proposal. I would be happy to charge my son his share if i could cover him on my insurance until he got on his feet.

  • MH
    The punishment would be paying for something the rest of his life with the interest being piled on. Before he could ever get a job. Forget the house his credit would be shot. The punishment would be the pre existing conditions and never being able to get coverage.
    I am sure this happens all the time and it just runs everybody's bill up. Blue Cross is known for raising their rates extemely high to purge unwanted expenses. They are also one of the few big companies known for denying every bill and digging for anything that could kick them off. Yep Acne is pre existing.

    This process will need tweaked over the years but not having a starting point is worthless. That is what we have now.
  • Blakenator
    Joe White, you are over simplifying the question.  You voluntarily buy a house and the lender requires insurance.  Of course, the answer to your question would be "yes."  In the example cited, the 25 yr old cannot afford insurance and was hoping this type of event would not happen.  If I were the guy, I would invite the bill collectors to "come get me" because I would have nothing for them to take at this time.  The bill gets written off and you still get to pay for it.  The whole idea of the health care reform is to decrease overall costs, the fact that you seem to resent some "undeserving sod" having access actually undermines that concept.
  • Blakenator
    Joe White, you are over simplifying the question. You voluntarily buy a house and the lender requires insurance. Of course, the answer to your question would be "yes." In the example cited, the 25 yr old cannot afford insurance and was hoping this type of event would not happen. If I were the guy, I would invite the bill collectors to "come get me" because I would have nothing for them to take at this time. The bill gets written off and you still get to pay for it. The whole idea of the health care reform is to decrease overall costs, the fact that you seem to resent some "undeserving sod" having access actually undermines that concept.
  • Joe White
    www.cbo.gov/ftpdocs/106xx/doc10688/hr3962Rangel.pdf
  • Joe White
    www.cbo.gov/ftpdocs/106xx/doc10688/hr3962Rangel.pdf
  • Joe White
    www.cbo.gov/ftpdocs/106xx/doc10688/hr3962Rangel.pdf
  • Joe White
    If he bought a $250,000 home and didn't insure it, and it burned down, should he have to pay for the house?

    Is requiring him to pay for the house 'punishing' him?
  • Joe White
    If he bought a $250,000 home and didn't insure it, and it burned down, should he have to pay for the house?

    Is requiring him to pay for the house 'punishing' him?
  • MH
    I forgot to mention I have a 25 yr old student who does not have a full time job and does not have insurance. I would like to know what to do if this happens to him. If there was a away he could pay the 350 per month on top of tuition and housing i would like to advise him.
  • MH
    I forgot to mention I have a 25 yr old student who does not have a full time job and does not have insurance.I would like to know what to do if this happens to him. If there was a away he could pay the 350 per month on top of tuition and housing i would like to advise him.
  • MH
    Joe

    okay so lets go back to the 25 yr old. What does he do? Does he pay this off the rest of his life or does he file bankruptcy? This way he is treated and the hospital pays for the cost and passes the bill on to the rest of us. Or should he be punished for not having healthcare and be forced to pay the bill?
  • MH
    Joe

    okay so lets go back to the 25 yr old. What does he do? Does he pay this off the rest of his life or does he file bankruptcy? This way he is treated and the hospital pays for the cost and passes the bill on to the rest of us. Or should he be punished for not having healthcare and be forced to pay the bill?
  • Abbybwood
    Here is why the corporations will get exactly what they want and the American people will continue to get the shaft:

    http://ampedstatus.com/the-economic-elite-vs-the-people-of-the-united-states-of-america-part-i#terror
    http://ampedstatus.com/part-ii-the-rise-of-the-economic-elite-economic-elite-vs-the-people
    http://ampedstatus.com/part-iii-exposing-our-enemy-meet-the-economic-elite
    http://ampedstatus.com/part-iv-the-financial-coup-detat-the-economic-elite-vs-the-people-of-the-united-states-of-america
    http://ampedstatus.com/part-v-overcoming-the-divide-and-conquer-strategy-the-economic-elite-vs-the-people-of-the-usa
    The final article will be published today at Amped Status.com
    The only way the American People will get the government we truly desire is if we stop participating in the charade of the Democratic and Republican Parties.
    They have not represented us, the do not represent us now and they will not represent us in the future.
    We need our own party. A new party. A fiscally conservative party that is socially progressive.
    It all comes down to marketing, eh? We need a new "brand".
  • Abbybwood
    Here is why the corporations will get exactly what they want and the American people will continue to get the shaft:

    http://ampedstatus.com/the-economic-elite-vs-the-people-of-the-united-states-of-america-part-i#terror
    http://ampedstatus.com/part-ii-the-rise-of-the-economic-elite-economic-elite-vs-the-people
    http://ampedstatus.com/part-iii-exposing-our-enemy-meet-the-economic-elite
    http://ampedstatus.com/part-iv-the-financial-coup-detat-the-economic-elite-vs-the-people-of-the-united-states-of-america
    http://ampedstatus.com/part-v-overcoming-the-divide-and-conquer-strategy-the-economic-elite-vs-the-people-of-the-usa
    The final article will be published today at Amped Status.com
    The only way the American People will get the government we truly desire is if we stop participating in the charade of the Democratic and Republican Parties.
    They have not represented us, the do not represent us now and they will not represent us in the future.
    We need our own party.  A new party.  A fiscally conservative party that is socially progressive.
    It all comes down to marketing, eh?  We need a new "brand".
  • ecthompson
    where is that in the CBO report. Please send. thanks,
  • ecthompson
    where is that in the CBO report. Please send. thanks,
  • Joe White
    "The public option is better than nothing. It help control the premium increases that we've seen."

    CBO said that the public option in the House bill would have premiums as high or higher than private plans.

    It won't control costs, no matter how many times that you assert that it will.
  • Joe White
    "The public option is better than nothing. It help control the premium increases that we’ve seen."

    CBO said that the public option in the House bill would have premiums as high or higher than private plans.

    It won't control costs, no matter how many times that you assert that it will.
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