Letters to the Editor - Making sense of healthcare - Making sense of healthcare

The state of the U.S. healthcare system has the appearance of a three-headed monster as fearsome as any ever contemplated throughout human history. In years past the bad news would likely come in the form of "I'm sorry sir there is nothing more we can do for you." Today the possibilities are countless. "I'm sorry sir your insurance company will not cover your claim," "Your coverage limit has been reached," "The treatment you require is experimental and therefore it is not covered," etc. Unfortunately, the answer too often is fulfilled by one of the two absolutes in life, "death and taxes."

    To fix the problem we are left to wait for the politicians and the medical profession to come up with a system that works. They dance around fanning answers that at best temporarily delay the inevitable. What they are afraid to say is that the system is cancerous. The bandage approach will not work forever.

    When something is malignant the first step involves removing the diseased tissue. Recognize the problems that stop healing from happening. Start by analyzing the factor in health which is undermining the possibility of success. Do doctors really need a four year college degree to enter the medical field? Is a closed union for doctors enhancing the medical care for the patient? Is the fact that medicine has a life or death consequence a factor that should be considered when setting the rate or cost of a medical procedure? Is it a plus that all of the people working on the solution have medical coverage? They are therefore working on solving someone else's problem.

    For example, several years ago at a routine physical I complained about an upset stomach. The doctor suspected acid reflux and prescribed an acid pump blocker to reduce my stomach acid more significantly than over-the-counter antacid could. The rational had more to do with protecting my esophageal inner tissue lining to prevent a future cancer then making me feel more comfortable. The doctor quantitatively knew what my problem was from my symptoms. He had me go to a hospital to have my esophagus examined (by inserting a video camera) to document the medical condition and therefore provide quantitative proof of my condition. The treatment was the same. Without medical insurance the diagnosis would most likely have been based on my symptoms without a costly medical test.

    It has been purported that healthcare is a right. After all, as taxpayers we help fund colleges and doctor's education. If a shortfall occurs in funding the government turns to us in the form of higher taxes (last year $25 million for HCMC through property taxes). Ultimately, we are a cash cow for the government who should have a vested interest in keeping us healthy. Preventative medicine is the most cost effective way to maintain public health and wellness. Medical dollars need to be maximized to the fullest. It is unethical to run an individual into bankruptcy, especially when that individual is already dealing with a health crisis. 

    In order to properly serve the public, the U.S. healthcare system needs to change.

Dan Lynch

Victory