I think that health care should be available to all people at a price that is affordable to them. I think that a lot of people who are against everyone having coverage have never been without. I think that if they were to fall on hard times and lost their coverage and were unable to pay out of pocket their ideas would change. I think a lot of people just assume that if you dont have coverage you are just some sort of lazy deadbeat, when in fact many people's employers just dont offer coverage (small bussiness) and they cant afford to buy it on the open markert, or they may have just hit hard times in their lives or are changing careers. I do admit people will abuse the system but that is true with anything...People abuse food stamps, disability services, and a hundred other programs,, but does that mean that everyone on them is not deserving or dead weight. I didnt have insurance for two years because my parents insurance only went to age 22 and Ohio colleges aren't required to offer low cost coverage to students. I am trying to improve my life yet if I were to get sick or hurt could end up with a 100,000 medical bill, because its impossible to go to school full time and afford a 250 dollar a month premium (For 1 healthy 22 yr old male with no dependents) and eat even with a part time job and financial aid. Should a person be forced into a lower 'class' of work (non-college) just because they cant afford insurance in the open market. Should a person trying to better their life be forced to obtain full time employment out of high school to obtain coverage because they nor their parents can afford coverage on the open market if they go to college and arent as healthy. If this is the case health care will become a catalyst for socioeconomic segregation. I believe benefits should not be totally free but that they should at least be affordable.
President-elect Obama's healthcare plan includes increased funding for prevention and disease management which ultimately will optimize therapy and decrease preventable events. Do you feel that this could be a great opportunity for pharmacists to accelerate and show the value of pharmaceutical care as a part of the big picture?
Just a few thoughts here. I think healthcare should be available to everyone BUT I also agree that people should take responsibility for their own health. Our culture has changed significantly and although I am only 27, my generation has seen significant change. An emphasis on preventitive care is essential to the success of any universal healthcare plan. Even in European countries, obesity rates are climbing and it is theorized that American culture is partly to blame. Moving on...if you read Obama's healthcare policy you would see that preventitive medicine is part of that plan. Unfortunately, our primary care system is overworked, understaffed, and often underpaid (via insurance reimbursement). I feel this is a positive for nonphysician members to step up to the plate and take hold of that opportunity. We must remember, however, there is competition for this as nurses would also have interest in such opportunities. If we do not voice our capabilities and successes in a manner that reaches those who may one day make decisions that affect our profession, then we as a profession may end up on the short end of the stick.
For me, the question of should health care be a right or a privilege is a gray area. While I feel that just because you are an American citizen you should not be guaranteed health coverage, I also feel that health care should not be something people are denied. I feel it is a tragedy that so often, people who want to have and pay for health coverage are unable to get coverage. Most notably, in the instance of pre-existing conditions. Being close with someone who has a pre-existing condition that is no way their own fault but is rather a genetic abnormality and knowing that private health coverage would cost her upwards of $600/month is alarming. Although the insurance company is not directly denying her coverage, that are stating a premium that is well beyond the realm of affordability. Conversely, I don't feel that individuals who neglect their own health by smoking excessively or drinking heavily for example, should be provided health insurance that is ultimately paid for through higher premiums by healthy individuals. I have no bearing on their decisions, yet I am still penalized by a 10% annual increase in my premium. It is my feeling that if you are not willing to make a conscious effort to improve your health and alter your lifestyle, you should not be allowed coverage that will ultimately penalize those who actually care about their health. I see this as being rewarded for negligence and these individuals are just sucking money away from those people who actually care about being healthy. Lastly, in the case of individuals who maybe can't afford private health coverage but who are diagnosed with an acute or chronic condition, some form of affordable health coverage should be provided to them. Referencing back to my pre-existing condition comment, some illnesses are not a result of an individual's negligence and in these instances, some form of help should be provided.
Just the fact that health care is such a significant issue in the United States leads me to believe that a more universal health care system is the answer. I am not proposing a complete socialized health care system, rather a 70% to 30% or a 80% to 20% split in the government to private sector. Health care systems with proportions like these do not produce 50% tax that everybody is afraid of while the system still provides basic levels of care to everyone in the country. Debating on whether or not you should go to the doctor for a certain condition because of money is awful. In Canada not nearly as many people moan and groan about the health care system, mostly because if Canadians get sick, they go to the doctor and do not have to worry about the cost. Everyone needs to look at the whole picture and consider the best interests of everyone in the country.
I agree with Dr. Dixon's comments regarding the need for preventative medicine. However, as mentioned by Dr. Dixon, the primary care services have been stretched to the limits. Several factors contribute to this such as minimal reimbursement rates, cost of liability insurance, and costs of operations. This is where pharmacists can step in and expand our responsibilities and duties i.e. change the profession. North Carolina is fertile ground for this due to our progressive state pharmacy practice laws. Obama has made mention of a national healthcare with references to VA systems. Once again this is an area where pharmacists are heavily utilized as providers of the healthcare services. In order for us to succeed, we need to start by demonstrating our abilities and then improving reimbursement rates for midlevel practitioners.
You hear of many other countries offering socialized medicine. A previous response mentioned Canada as an example where when you are sick you visit the physician at no cost; however, you must consider that the free services last only as long as the services are not completely exhausted within the year. Unfortunately, they never last and many citizens wait in line for months without any care. Some say there is an exception with the wealthy, but you must consider that if you are wealthy you can always travel to get care anywhere in the world. With that said, I do not believe socialized medicine will work in America. Many Americans tend to be greedy. Just through observation in the pharmacy you will notice someone presenting with a Medicaid insurance card in a brand new Mercedes in the drive-thru. In addition to our greed, the large immigrant population that would receive services would exhaust the healthcare services quickly. Capitalism isn’t perfect but it helps drive the availability of our progressive health services.
On the other hand, I also agree that health insurance needs to change. Unfortunately, the only way to fund this is to require others to pay more into the system. Another way to improve this may be to reassess and limit some of the current services such as Medicaid services. For example, a patient with diabetes or heart disease on federal assistance program should demonstrate some initiative to improving their health such as receiving and complying with health education and preventative health measure recommendations. For all other insurances, additional incentives should be offered to those that are proactive with their health through physical activity and other general healthy lifestyle choices.
How can anyone have the nerve to say that they don't care to help the needy who don't have the wherewithal to pay for healthcare just because they see them as useless free loaders when in reality, a large percentage of people who need medical insurance are average working citizens who cannot,in fact, afford to buy health insurance nor pay for medical care? We all have to wake up and face the hard reality that our economy is not doing well as we continue to lose jobs and face housing foreclosures. We might just get really close to becoming the useless homeless bums out there who are in dire need of medical care. Are we going to continue being so myopic and heartless toward these people? Are we not all related by virtue of our common ancestors--adam and eve? aren't we all related and connected physically and emotionally to one another? Can we really bear to see suffering while we sleep comfortably in our homes and eat 3 square meals each day while we ignore the needy people? Is this a christian way of showing our concern for our brethren?
Part of Obama's plan resembles the medicare program but is geared toward those uder age 65 who do not have access to healthcare coverage under their employer or cannot qualify for government programs. I think this is a great idea that will allow coverage of those who have lost their healthcare coverage/job due to the recent dive in the economy or those who cannot get insurance through their employer. So many small employers are not offering coverage anymore because they simply cannot afford healthcare premiums and a salary for their employees. I think is it very sad to watch people who have worked their entire lives not receive healthcare "benefits" when they need it. There is obviously a problem with our current system but I would hardly say that we need to move toward universal healthcare. Overall, I do feel Obama's plan will help those who need and deserve healthcare coverage.
14 comments:
Do you think Obama's plan for healthcare will improve the overall care available to all citizens?
In addition, what resources do you
have access to that help you communicate with people that speak different languages?
How do you feel that Obama's healthcare plan will affect the daily life in your pharmacy?
Do you believe that the proposed healthcare system will cause an increase of abusers? Do you believe there will be a decline in current coverage?
Do you think Obama's proposed healthcare plan will alter healthcare providers' salaries?
Do you think Obama's proposed healthcare plan will alter healthcare providers' salaries?
I think that health care should be available to all people at a price that is affordable to them. I think that a lot of people who are against everyone having coverage have never been without. I think that if they were to fall on hard times and lost their coverage and were unable to pay out of pocket their ideas would change. I think a lot of people just assume that if you dont have coverage you are just some sort of lazy deadbeat, when in fact many people's employers just dont offer coverage (small bussiness) and they cant afford to buy it on the open markert, or they may have just hit hard times in their lives or are changing careers. I do admit people will abuse the system but that is true with anything...People abuse food stamps, disability services, and a hundred other programs,, but does that mean that everyone on them is not deserving or dead weight. I didnt have insurance for two years because my parents insurance only went to age 22 and Ohio colleges aren't required to offer low cost coverage to students. I am trying to improve my life yet if I were to get sick or hurt could end up with a 100,000 medical bill, because its impossible to go to school full time and afford a 250 dollar a month premium (For 1 healthy 22 yr old male with no dependents) and eat even with a part time job and financial aid. Should a person be forced into a lower 'class' of work (non-college) just because they cant afford insurance in the open market. Should a person trying to better their life be forced to obtain full time employment out of high school to obtain coverage because they nor their parents can afford coverage on the open market if they go to college and arent as healthy. If this is the case health care will become a catalyst for socioeconomic segregation. I believe benefits should not be totally free but that they should at least be affordable.
Do you think Obama's proposed healthcare plan will reduce the quality of care?
President-elect Obama's healthcare plan includes increased funding for prevention and disease management which ultimately will optimize therapy and decrease preventable events. Do you feel that this could be a great opportunity for pharmacists to accelerate and show the value of pharmaceutical care as a part of the big picture?
Just a few thoughts here. I think healthcare should be available to everyone BUT I also agree that people should take responsibility for their own health. Our culture has changed significantly and although I am only 27, my generation has seen significant change. An emphasis on preventitive care is essential to the success of any universal healthcare plan. Even in European countries, obesity rates are climbing and it is theorized that American culture is partly to blame. Moving on...if you read Obama's healthcare policy you would see that preventitive medicine is part of that plan. Unfortunately, our primary care system is overworked, understaffed, and often underpaid (via insurance reimbursement). I feel this is a positive for nonphysician members to step up to the plate and take hold of that opportunity. We must remember, however, there is competition for this as nurses would also have interest in such opportunities. If we do not voice our capabilities and successes in a manner that reaches those who may one day make decisions that affect our profession, then we as a profession may end up on the short end of the stick.
For me, the question of should health care be a right or a privilege is a gray area. While I feel that just because you are an American citizen you should not be guaranteed health coverage, I also feel that health care should not be something people are denied. I feel it is a tragedy that so often, people who want to have and pay for health coverage are unable to get coverage. Most notably, in the instance of pre-existing conditions. Being close with someone who has a pre-existing condition that is no way their own fault but is rather a genetic abnormality and knowing that private health coverage would cost her upwards of $600/month is alarming. Although the insurance company is not directly denying her coverage, that are stating a premium that is well beyond the realm of affordability. Conversely, I don't feel that individuals who neglect their own health by smoking excessively or drinking heavily for example, should be provided health insurance that is ultimately paid for through higher premiums by healthy individuals. I have no bearing on their decisions, yet I am still penalized by a 10% annual increase in my premium. It is my feeling that if you are not willing to make a conscious effort to improve your health and alter your lifestyle, you should not be allowed coverage that will ultimately penalize those who actually care about their health. I see this as being rewarded for negligence and these individuals are just sucking money away from those people who actually care about being healthy. Lastly, in the case of individuals who maybe can't afford private health coverage but who are diagnosed with an acute or chronic condition, some form of affordable health coverage should be provided to them. Referencing back to my pre-existing condition comment, some illnesses are not a result of an individual's negligence and in these instances, some form of help should be provided.
Just the fact that health care is such a significant issue in the United States leads me to believe that a more universal health care system is the answer. I am not proposing a complete socialized health care system, rather a 70% to 30% or a 80% to 20% split in the government to private sector. Health care systems with proportions like these do not produce 50% tax that everybody is afraid of while the system still provides basic levels of care to everyone in the country. Debating on whether or not you should go to the doctor for a certain condition because of money is awful. In Canada not nearly as many people moan and groan about the health care system, mostly because if Canadians get sick, they go to the doctor and do not have to worry about the cost. Everyone needs to look at the whole picture and consider the best interests of everyone in the country.
I agree with Dr. Dixon's comments regarding the need for preventative medicine. However, as mentioned by Dr. Dixon, the primary care services have been stretched to the limits. Several factors contribute to this such as minimal reimbursement rates, cost of liability insurance, and costs of operations. This is where pharmacists can step in and expand our responsibilities and duties i.e. change the profession. North Carolina is fertile ground for this due to our progressive state pharmacy practice laws. Obama has made mention of a national healthcare with references to VA systems. Once again this is an area where pharmacists are heavily utilized as providers of the healthcare services. In order for us to succeed, we need to start by demonstrating our abilities and then improving reimbursement rates for midlevel practitioners.
You hear of many other countries offering socialized medicine. A previous response mentioned Canada as an example where when you are sick you visit the physician at no cost; however, you must consider that the free services last only as long as the services are not completely exhausted within the year. Unfortunately, they never last and many citizens wait in line for months without any care. Some say there is an exception with the wealthy, but you must consider that if you are wealthy you can always travel to get care anywhere in the world. With that said, I do not believe socialized medicine will work in America. Many Americans tend to be greedy. Just through observation in the pharmacy you will notice someone presenting with a Medicaid insurance card in a brand new Mercedes in the drive-thru. In addition to our greed, the large immigrant population that would receive services would exhaust the healthcare services quickly. Capitalism isn’t perfect but it helps drive the availability of our progressive health services.
On the other hand, I also agree that health insurance needs to change. Unfortunately, the only way to fund this is to require others to pay more into the system. Another way to improve this may be to reassess and limit some of the current services such as Medicaid services. For example, a patient with diabetes or heart disease on federal assistance program should demonstrate some initiative to improving their health such as receiving and complying with health education and preventative health measure recommendations. For all other insurances, additional incentives should be offered to those that are proactive with their health through physical activity and other general healthy lifestyle choices.
How can anyone have the nerve to say that they don't care to help the needy who don't have the wherewithal to pay for healthcare just because they see them as useless free loaders when in reality, a large percentage of people who need medical insurance are average working citizens who cannot,in fact, afford to buy health insurance nor pay for medical care? We all have to wake up and face the hard reality that our economy is not doing well as we continue to lose jobs and face housing foreclosures. We might just get really close to becoming the useless homeless bums out there who are in dire need of medical care. Are we going to continue being so myopic and heartless toward these people? Are we not all related by virtue of our common ancestors--adam and eve? aren't we all related and connected physically and emotionally to one another? Can we really bear to see suffering while we sleep comfortably in our homes and eat 3 square meals each day while we ignore the needy people? Is this a christian way of showing our concern for our brethren?
Part of Obama's plan resembles the medicare program but is geared toward those uder age 65 who do not have access to healthcare coverage under their employer or cannot qualify for government programs. I think this is a great idea that will allow coverage of those who have lost their healthcare coverage/job due to the recent dive in the economy or those who cannot get insurance through their employer. So many small employers are not offering coverage anymore because they simply cannot afford healthcare premiums and a salary for their employees. I think is it very sad to watch people who have worked their entire lives not receive healthcare "benefits" when they need it. There is obviously a problem with our current system but I would hardly say that we need to move toward universal healthcare. Overall, I do feel Obama's plan will help those who need and deserve healthcare coverage.
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