A healthcare insider’s look at the healthcare debate from a social point of view.

5 reasons we will never actually pass a national healthcare plan.

Reason #1.
You, the patient, are offered three medical treatment choices:
Option #1 costs $10,000 and works very well with very few side effects.
Option #2 costs $1000 and will also work very well but will have a few more side effects.
Option #3 costs $300 but only works some of the time with lots of side effects.
Which will you choose?

Most people will say, “I don’t want a chance for more side effects or one that only works some of the time, I want the best, Option #1.” Or people might say, “Well it is okay for someone else to choose the 2nd or 3rd option, but I have a right to good healthcare.” And what they mean by “good” healthcare is really great healthcare. For national healthcare to work, we need people to be willing to accept and to choose the second best choice sometimes which may come with a few more side effects. The system can’t afford the best all of the time. To make this happen, we have to adjust the rules doctors live by which brings me to reason number two.

Reason #2.
Doctors must give informed consent which means people have to be given enough meaningful information so they can make a good decision regarding what treatment to choose. This information would include being told about the first, second and third best options. Who is going to say, “No, doctor, really it is fine with me. Give me second best option.” We are starting to see this problem for certain hospitals that statistically provide second rate care and therefore may eventually need to disclose to patients, “You may be better off going somewhere else.” So if doctors need to tell the whole truth, the system will break down. Informed consent will have to be limited to those treatments allowed under the national health plan.

Reason #3.
The other problem doctors will have is that they will still be held legally liable for providing good healthcare. If you don’t get better or you get extra side effects, you will sue the doctor. Why is this doctor’s fault when the system says he has to give you option #2 or #3? Our malpractice system will have to change to protect doctors who are only following the rules set up by the national healthcare system.

Reason #4.
National healthcare will mean a more equal distribution of medical resources. What that really means is that many of us will have to accept a little less for everyone else to receive a little more. Now, you may say you want this but how many people really act in an unselfish way? I know lots of people who say they care about the poor and underprivileged, but I don’t see them sending a poor family half of their paycheck. We want the government to take care of everyone while we still get everything we want. But we can’t get everything we want with national healthcare. It just isn’t possible. But, everyone could get reasonably good care.

So, we are part of the problem. We are selfish. Our selfishness is a deeply imbedded societal belief about what our obligations are to others. This country was built on individualism and watching out for your own best interest. We are not a country which cares more about others above ourselves. And those of you who just said in your mind, “Well I care.” Then do something significant to prove me wrong.

Reason #5.
The last reason things won’t change is that our politicians are not interested in voting for national healthcare. Right now they are receiving a substantial amount of money from insurance companies and pharmaceutical companies. Why would they want to stop getting all this money? They don’t. And you wouldn’t either if you were in their place. Politicians talk a good story but when it comes to action, nothing gets done. How many politicians said they are for national healthcare during their campaigns? Most, but still nothing will happen. It is about money.

But we, as individuals have power. If the politician gets voted out of office they will lose their financial kickbacks. So, we have to tell them that if they want to stay in office, they have to give us national healthcare. And if they don’t vote it in this time, we must vote them out of office. We are not helpless. If we truly care, and I hope we do, we need to speak up, speak out and vote responsibly. Contact all of your local and national politicians to vote for national healthcare. And contact them over and over again. They won’t take us seriously unless we get serious about caring for all Americans.

For a look at the money issues in the healthcare debate, go to http://kindethics.com/2009/09/an-healthcare-insiders-look-at-the-healtcare-debate-from-a-money-point-of-view/

Have a kind and respectful day.