[Vision2020] Something you need to know

Thu May 3 02:18:21 PDT 2012

Ron,

Thanks, and that is a great article. Baker seems to have a better understanding of the economic realities of our heath care system. As usual, it is generally politics and politicians standing in the way of resolving the problems in the United States. Medicare and Medicaid funds need to have mechanisms of being resourced overseas, at least for certain segments of society, like the retired and those with chronic and severe illnesses. 

On the other issue, while I cannot attest to all the reasons a medication may be placed on "HOLD", typically, a medication no longer prescribed by a doctor is given the notation "d/c" for discontinued and no longer is ordered. I think "trends" are something that most doctors and seniors are resistant and skeptical to follow unless under outside influence such as their conservator (power of attorney) or a pushy patient that wants to dictate their own heath care over the doctor's training and experience because they think they are smarter than the doc. 

I think people are over medicated because pharmaceutical companies have put their resources into treating symptoms, not curing illnesses and they are now allowed to advertise on television. So when an ad asks someone if their butt itches after eating ice cream on Sunday's, millions go to their doctor and ask for the new blue pill that stops their butt from itching after an ice cream on Sunday. Its all about the profit for pharmaceutical companies, not the honor and distinction of curing Americans of a woeful debilitating illness or disease.

I have seen medications alter and ruin a person's personality and cognitive function, and I have seen medications restore a person to their former self and regain almost complete independence. So they can do both, grave harm, and be of outstanding help. 

Donovan J. Arnold

From: Ron Force <rforce2003 at yahoo.com>
To: Donovan Arnold <donovanjarnold2005 at yahoo.com>; Rosemary Huskey <donaldrose at cpcinternet.com>; 'Tom Hansen' <thansen at moscow.com>; 'lfalen' <lfalen at turbonet.com> 
Cc: 'Moscow Vision2020' <vision2020 at moscow.com> 
Sent: Wednesday, May 2, 2012 3:56 PM
Subject: Re: [Vision2020] Something you need to know

Donovan,
Great minds think alike. The economist Dean Baker has been advocating this for some time:
http://money.cnn.com/2011/09/16/news/economy/debt_committee_health_costs/

Right now Medicare and Medicaid funds can't be spent outside the U.S. Many retirees now visit Mexico for out-of-pocket care (particularly dentistry) and prescription drugs, although Customs will confiscate the drugs, if found.

On another topic, this thread originated when you reported that your patients weren't getting prescription drugs. do you know if that was economics, or were their doctors following the new trend of reducing the number of drugs prescribed for the elderly? Google "overmedicated seniors" for some articles.

Ron Force
Moscow Idaho USA

From: Donovan Arnold <donovanjarnold2005 at yahoo.com>
To: Rosemary Huskey <donaldrose at cpcinternet.com>; 'Tom Hansen' <thansen at moscow.com>; 'lfalen' <lfalen at turbonet.com> 
Cc: 'Moscow Vision2020' <vision2020 at moscow.com> 
Sent: Wednesday, May 2, 2012 1:17 PM
Subject: Re: [Vision2020] Something you need to know

Roger,

Tax credits wouldn't work because insurance companies and medical providers would just raise their rates the same as the tax credit. They are for-profit, not for-charity. 

There is only one way to save our health care. We do to the giant medical corporations jobs that they did to the working classes jobs, ship them overseas. Why should the US taxpayer pay $200 for a prescription and $100,000 in medical care in the United States when we can ship them overseas and get the same care for a fraction of the cost. If we let people retire in luxury at 65 in overseas retirement communities, enough people would go to where the increased taxpayer costs of social security and medicare would disappear. 

Yes, that means some mega millionaires and a couple billionaires would lose their jobs, but it didn't bother us when millions lost their good paying blue collar jobs overseas, so it shouldn't bother us now.

Did you know in the Philippines, you can hire a private nurse, same skills and qualifications as US nurses, for just $3-$5 an hour. Compare that to the cost of a nurse in the US at $50 to $100 an hour. 

Donovan Arnold

From: Rosemary Huskey <donaldrose at cpcinternet.com>
To: 'Tom Hansen' <thansen at moscow.com>; 'lfalen' <lfalen at turbonet.com> 
Cc: 'Moscow Vision2020' <vision2020 at moscow.com> 
Sent: Wednesday, May 2, 2012 1:28 PM
Subject: Re: [Vision2020] Something you need to know

Let’s focus please.  Roger, how do you propose indigent patients gather enough resources to buy their meds in the first place let alone benefit from a tax credit? I am sick unto death hearing about tax credits as a solution to anything..  How ‘bout single payer (much like the Medicare and Tricare System which works very well) and a flat payment (according to income level) to be assessed by all working adults.  And, frankly, I would be delighted if those making over  250K per year (including investment earnings) would pay 10 times more for the privilege of medical care than those making $25,000.
Rose Huskey

From:vision2020-bounces at moscow.com [mailto:vision2020-bounces at moscow.com] On Behalf Of Tom Hansen
Sent: Wednesday, May 02, 2012 12:14 PM
To: lfalen
Cc: Moscow Vision2020
Subject: Re: [Vision2020] Something you need to know

Roger Falen suggests:

"Here is a plan that should satisfy everyone and should give everyone health care insurance. Give a tax credit to everyone to buy their own insurance."

Ah, yes . . . the infamous coupon system in the guise of a tax credit.

Just how big of a tax credit do you suggest, Mr. Falen?

Seeya round town, Moscow.

Tom Hansen
Moscow, Idaho

"If not us, who?
If not now, when?"

- Unknown

On May 2, 2012, at 12:03, lfalen <lfalen at turbonet.com> wrote:
Here is a plan that should satisfy everyone and should give everyone health care insurance. Give a tax credit to everyone to buy their own insurance. 
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