Comments on: Patchwork Solutions http://susiemadrak.com/2008/01/10/09/01/patchwork-solutions/ Keeping a jaundiced eye on the corporate media. Sat, 22 Nov 2008 21:59:10 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6 By: Billy Jack http://susiemadrak.com/2008/01/10/09/01/patchwork-solutions/#comment-134497 Billy Jack Sun, 13 Jan 2008 01:01:44 +0000 http://susiemadrak.com/2008/01/10/09/01/patchwork-solutions/#comment-134497 Whenever any change is contemplated regarding the status quo in health care, people tend to rail against the fact that the change doesn't go far enough, or it doesn't address the "real" problems in the health care system. The introduction of these clinics in Massachusetts were never meant to cure all that ails the health care system. Instead, it is hope that they will provide basic, affordable care for minor health care needs in a safe and convienient way. Hundreds of these clinics are opening up around the country and the people that use them actually like them. Imagine that, delivering health care in a way that is geared toward the consumer. Also, the Massachusetts regulations were broadened to allow non-profits to open mini-clinics. Hospitals and community health centers can also participate in this new delivery system. Whenever any change is contemplated regarding the status quo in health care, people tend to rail against the fact that the change doesn’t go far enough, or it doesn’t address the “real” problems in the health care system. The introduction of these clinics in Massachusetts were never meant to cure all that ails the health care system. Instead, it is hope that they will provide basic, affordable care for minor health care needs in a safe and convienient way. Hundreds of these clinics are opening up around the country and the people that use them actually like them. Imagine that, delivering health care in a way that is geared toward the consumer.

Also, the Massachusetts regulations were broadened to allow non-profits to open mini-clinics. Hospitals and community health centers can also participate in this new delivery system.

]]> By: Ohio Mom http://susiemadrak.com/2008/01/10/09/01/patchwork-solutions/#comment-134385 Ohio Mom Thu, 10 Jan 2008 17:01:44 +0000 http://susiemadrak.com/2008/01/10/09/01/patchwork-solutions/#comment-134385 I see this as part of the larger pattern of all sorts of things being privatized and given to large corporations. There seem to be a lot of evil geniuses out there who are able to come up with ways to turn things that don't seem at first glance to lend themselves to being run by corporations (schools, for example) into big profit-centers. So now someone's found a way to take over the work done by doctors in private practice. I'm reminded of Walmart pushing all the mom-and-pop stores out of business. Ronald Preston's worried that the primary care delivery system is dying? Well, take away lots of its business -- all those kids with ear infections, all those people who are worried their colds have turned into bronchitis, etc. -- and see how well it does then. Also, how much effort do you think CVS is going to put into keeping all that patient information confidential? When this comes to Cincinnati, I'm sticking with my internist, thank you. I see this as part of the larger pattern of all sorts of things being privatized and given to large corporations. There seem to be a lot of evil geniuses out there who are able to come up with ways to turn things that don’t seem at first glance to lend themselves to being run by corporations (schools, for example) into big profit-centers. So now someone’s found a way to take over the work done by doctors in private practice.

I’m reminded of Walmart pushing all the mom-and-pop stores out of business. Ronald Preston’s worried that the primary care delivery system is dying? Well, take away lots of its business — all those kids with ear infections, all those people who are worried their colds have turned into bronchitis, etc. — and see how well it does then.

Also, how much effort do you think CVS is going to put into keeping all that patient information confidential? When this comes to Cincinnati, I’m sticking with my internist, thank you.

]]> By: Medical Insurance » Blog Archive » Patchwork Solutions http://susiemadrak.com/2008/01/10/09/01/patchwork-solutions/#comment-134384 Medical Insurance » Blog Archive » Patchwork Solutions Thu, 10 Jan 2008 16:58:12 +0000 http://susiemadrak.com/2008/01/10/09/01/patchwork-solutions/#comment-134384 [...] dellaanastasiades wrote an interesting post today onHere’s a quick excerptAfter state regulators cleared the way yesterday for store-based medical clinics, CVS Corp. said it plans to open more than two dozen inside Massachusetts drugstores this year, dispensing treatment for bronchitis and earaches a few … [...] [...] dellaanastasiades wrote an interesting post today onHere’s a quick excerptAfter state regulators cleared the way yesterday for store-based medical clinics, CVS Corp. said it plans to open more than two dozen inside Massachusetts drugstores this year, dispensing treatment for bronchitis and earaches a few … [...]

]]> By: donviti http://susiemadrak.com/2008/01/10/09/01/patchwork-solutions/#comment-134381 donviti Thu, 10 Jan 2008 15:17:11 +0000 http://susiemadrak.com/2008/01/10/09/01/patchwork-solutions/#comment-134381 best union in the country has to be the AMA...talk about controlling the supply best union in the country has to be the AMA…talk about controlling the supply

]]> By: John http://susiemadrak.com/2008/01/10/09/01/patchwork-solutions/#comment-134378 John Thu, 10 Jan 2008 14:45:24 +0000 http://susiemadrak.com/2008/01/10/09/01/patchwork-solutions/#comment-134378 The biggest issue that this doesn't and can't address is the declining number of primary care physicians. Which results from a variety of economic factors from the high cost of medical education, the relatively low pay when compared to specialist, to the high cost of malpractice insurance. On the malpractice insurance that is from a number of sources from a few bad doctors, greed on the part of insurance companies, to over zealous and downright sleazy trial lawyers. Until we tackle these factors there is going to be no solution and just going to a single payer system won't cure it. In fact it could make the problem worse at first as additional people flood the system and very likely doctors slow down their work over issues of reimbursement levels. The biggest issue that this doesn’t and can’t address is the declining number of primary care physicians. Which results from a variety of economic factors from the high cost of medical education, the relatively low pay when compared to specialist, to the high cost of malpractice insurance. On the malpractice insurance that is from a number of sources from a few bad doctors, greed on the part of insurance companies, to over zealous and downright sleazy trial lawyers. Until we tackle these factors there is going to be no solution and just going to a single payer system won’t cure it. In fact it could make the problem worse at first as additional people flood the system and very likely doctors slow down their work over issues of reimbursement levels.

]]> By: votermom http://susiemadrak.com/2008/01/10/09/01/patchwork-solutions/#comment-134376 votermom Thu, 10 Jan 2008 14:05:53 +0000 http://susiemadrak.com/2008/01/10/09/01/patchwork-solutions/#comment-134376 As you say, the best healthcare in the world. Yay. As you say, the best healthcare in the world. Yay.

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