Weighing in on health care
By Karyn Brownlee | BrighterWalk.com
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Posted 7:43 pm on July 25, 2009
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Wednesday night, President Barack Obama implied most doctors in America today make decisions based on insurance payout--"the dollar"--rather than the patient's needs. Talk about abomination! Such a statement is an insult to the medical community.
"Right now, doctors a lot of times are forced to make decisions based on the fee payment schedule that's out there. So if they're looking and you come in and you've got a bad sore throat or your child has a bad sore throat or has repeated sore throats, the doctor may look at the reimbursement system and say to himself, 'You know what? I make a lot more money if I take this kid's tonsils out.'
"Now, that may be the right thing to do, but I'd rather have that doctor making those decisions just based on whether you really need your kid's tonsils out or whether it might make more sense just to change--maybe they have allergies. Maybe they have something else that would make a difference.
"So--so part of what we want do is to free doctors, patients, hospitals to make decisions based on what's best for patient care."- Barak Obama
Funny, I thought our doctors were already free to do that. Sure there are those doctors who lean toward covering their own costs in lieu of best practice. But I believe that most take seriously the Hippocratic Oath and advise their patients based on what's best for their health, regardless of projected reimbursements.
Here's the irony. Rather than giving more freedom to doctors, patients and hospitals, the proposed plan takes freedoms away. Congress is considering legislation that would take away the decision making from the doctors, patients and hospitals and give it to an appointed board who will define for us "essential health benefits." Instead of a doctor who actually knows the patient weighing health versus cost in communication with his patient, America will have a board of faceless people, appointed by who knows who in charge of balancing the universal scales.
This body of decision makers will have the power to choose what's essential for our health, and whatever is deemed non-essential we may have the opportunity to pay for out of our own pocket; that is, if there is any doctor still in the "non-essential" business. Without any insurance assistance at all, one has to wonder who will be able to afford such medical luxuries.
Essential healthcare will probably include regular check-ups to your doctor. But if that check-up shines light on an issue, be prepared for that issue's resolution to be weighed on the government scales while you wait. Depending on who's on the government's health care board, what the government's budget looks like, how old you are, and how much money you contribute to the national coffers, you might get the additional testing you need to determine whether or not that lump is benign or malignant. If you are fortunate enough to find out the lump is malignant before it spreads, then you can wait again while they decide whether or not you have the golden ticket needed for surgery and treatment.
Our system may not be perfect, but at least in our current structure I have freedom--freedom to choose doctors, procedures and hospitals. Freedom to choose insurance coverage that meets my budget and based on my judgment regarding my health. Freedom to choose, within the limits God gives me, my own quality of life for as long as He determines it is to last.
Tags: Barack Obama, health care reform
Karyn Brownlee, M.Ed. is a master communicator and former school principal who inspires Christians to walk as believing, influential disciples amidst our unbelieving, captivating culture. Once deceived by America’s ‘culturalized Christianity,’ Karyn now eagerly embraces a biblical worldview, enjoys a brighter walk with God, and educates and encourages others to the same. Her passion to proclaim truth and brighten lives is realized in her writing, speaking, teaching and mentoring. Connect with Karyn at http://www.Twitter.com/KarynBrownlee, http://www.Facebook.com/KarynBrownee, or through her website, http://www.BrighterWalk.com.
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