Can You Spell Hypocricy?

Meanwhile, 7 of the 20 states that have sued to stop health reform from taking effect are taking the federal dollars anyway. 'Nough said. Jennifer

Health Reform's Public Image

Public opinion continues to slip for health reform, says Politico. As best I can tell, the main reason for this is that people don't understand it and so many politicians and media are running with misinformation.

For example, huge numbers of people still think there are "death panels" in the legislation. This is a complete fabrication. In an earlier draft, there was the ability of Medicare providers to bill Medicare for conducting end of life discussions with patients. This provision was dropped due to all of the public outcry, even though there never were going to be government officials deciding who lives and who dies. It was malarkey from the start.

There is a basic disagreement in America. Do we take responsibility for each other or do we not? Do we help the uninsured to become insured even if it means changes for all of us that are scary? Be careful about how you answer this question. There are plenty of politicians who are against health reform who also would dismantle Social Security and Medicare, or at the very least, privatize them.

If you want a social safety net for yourself if you get old and/or sick, you have to also favor the social safety net for others who are old and/or sick. Before you start screaming about big government, understand that, if you succeed, you not only will be taking something away from today's poor, old, and sick, but those resources won't be there for you if you need them.

There but for the grace of whomever/whatever go we all. Jennifer

Health Care on Credit

Should we be using credit cards to finance our health care? Are we doing so already? This article suggests that we do so only with lots of care and a clear understanding of what we're getting into. Jennifer

Mobile Medicine

The last time I had a post-op infection, the surgeon -- who was 2 hours away -- wanted to see the wound every couple of days. Rather than travel all that way just so he could look at it, I took a picture of it every day and emailed it to him. It was a great solution.

So I'm not surprised to hear that mobile medicine is being experimented with for certain kinds of things. Read here. Jennifer

Fascinating

Read this article about Dr. Donald A. Redelmeier. He's a fascinating researcher doing fascinating research. May stand some of your pre-conceived notions on their heads. Jennifer

Unemployed Seeing Rise in Healthcare Costs

No surprise to those of you who are unemployed: Insurance premiums and other health care costs are growing faster than the rate of inflation, forcing many of the unemployed to lose their insurance. Read about it here. Being an unemployed person with a $500/month insurance premium and a chronic illness creates a morass that none of us is ever prepared for. Jennifer

The Empowered Patient

A new book talks about how to become a more empowered patient without being so assertive that you alienate your health care providers. In my experience, this is a fine line to walk, but it can be done. It helps to have doctors who really understand what being a patient is like, though. Jennifer