HEALTHCARE

1. TORT REFORM (Why do they call it this anyway - nobody knows what a tort is, let alone how to reform one):The cost of medical malpractice insurance is way too high - a cost passed onto the consumer (that's you, the patient). Why? Because lawyers sue at the drop of a hat. How many of us make mistakes (Torts)? All of us, and often. We're human and human beings make mistakes. Why should Doctors be any different? Yeah, if the paperboy throws your paper into the bushes instead of on your porch, the consequences are not the same as a Doctor, say, prescribing the wrong medicine.

Fully aware that predatory lawyers are waiting with a summons at the slightest mistake, medical practicianers are likely to be overly cautious in the treatment of patients. E.g. an emergency room patient complaining of chest pains is hospitalized for the weekend, and is run through a battery of expensive (and unnecessary) testing procedures - when the physician strongly believes the actual cause of his distress is the three pieces of pie the patient sheepishly admits having for dessert that evening.

In many areas of this country, pregnant women haven't access to good pre-natal care. Why not? Because fewer oan fewer Medical Students are choosing the OBGYN Field. Whom may we thank for that? Remember Sen. John Edwards, John Kerry's Vice-Presidential running mate ? I know you do.

Before he was

This panel concludes that there needs to be a cap on the dollar awards given to injured patients. Rein in the lawyers. Lower costs.

2. DOCTOR SHORTAGES: The average practicing physician makes about $325,000 per year. They work long, hard hours. But part of the high income is created by a shortage of doctors. With baby-boomers retiring now, we will need far more Doctors, not fewer. Why a shortage? One reason is the internecine battles between universities over which schools get to have a medical school. Universities pay lobbyists to persuade Universities and lobbyists funnel campaign money to legislators who in turn vote down applications for new medical schools. In most countries this is called bribery - Sean Hannity calls it a Constitutional Right.

This panel concludes that if, say, Florida Gulf Coast University wants to open a Medical School. the University of Miami or U. of Florida will just have to get over it. More medical schools, more doctors, lower costs.

3. COSTS: President Obama concludes that we can pay for his expensive Healthcare Program program by saving $90 Billion a year in Medicare waste and fraud. Really, Mr. Pres.? FYI: Dade and Broward Counties, Florida - population 4.5 million - provide more "free" power scooters than all of the State of California (pop: 33 million).

This panel has three suggestions. One: Supply the F.B.I., Homeland Security; whomever, with flashlights so they can get their heads out of their asses; Two: Use the $90 Billion the abovementioned will save (Obama's estimate) and pay for the medical costs of the 30 million people who are uninsured, and Three: That old lady on TV who "didn't pay a penny out of pocket" for her scooter scam. Where is Richard Widmark when you need him?

4. NURSING SHORTAGES: While Filipino nurses were a comfort to me when I had stents put in some years ago, why can't we have home-grown nurses in our hospitals? Our politicians tell us the working conditions scare potential nurses from entering the profession. Nonsense. In their analyses, politicians err. What else is new? Nursing schools, like medical schools, turn away 50% of qualified applicants. Why? Because unlike Freshman Sociology classes, Nursing Classes are small, like 7 - 8 to a class, because of the personal attention needed.

The problem is a shortage of teachers. Why? Because those with the qualifications (nurses) are not inclined to drop a $70,000 job to spend three extra years in college studying with like, you know, like stu' dents' like half their age (like - awesome), acquiring the advanced degree needed to teach at the University level.

This panel recommends: the Federal Government, ever anxious to spend money on programs that have zero chance for success, can pay for the advanced training required. That would be money well spent. If the candidate has a family to support, provide a loan for an additional $30,000 per

5. RECORD KEEPING: In our ever-mobile society, we switch doctors frequently.Our medical records follow reluctantly. Newt Gingerich suggests that all medical records be posted (privately) on the internet, making the records available at any time. Cost? About $30 Billion dollars. But what about hackers getting access to your personal records? What indeed?

This panel recommends: For goodness sake, Newt. Do you know what a flash drive is? It's a little gizmo that plugs into a USB Port (the narrow slot) on all computers. It costs about $15. Stay with me here, Newt. I have one on my key ring. You go to the doctor and when you are finished, your record is downloaded from Doc's computer unto your flash drive (keyring), and you carry your record with you (protected by a password if you care). If the doctor is too busy or you don't want to wait, he can mail it to you.

If you get creamed in a head on, the Emergency workers have instant access to your medical records (with an emergency password for access). If your key ring gets crushed, they can always stick $30 Billion into a pay phone and dial Newt Gingerich.

Can't remember when your next Doctor's appointment is? Check your flashdrive

6. COMMON SENSE: 7,500 Americans die each year because many physicians write their prescriptions in Pablo Picasso. Then Eckerds fills the wrong prescription, and a two-year-old keels over from an overdose of Coumadin.

It's a shame two-year-olds can't hire a lobbyist. Then our legislators could pass a 1,000 page law that requires doctors to TYPE their prescriptions which is what this panel recommends.

7. INSURANCE COSTS: Politicians cite the fact that there are 7 major insurance companies that write medical health insurance policies for 200 million Americans; the implication being price-fixing? Oh, horrors ! ! But does a paucity of insurance companies mean poorer service? There are only TWO software companies who provide the software for all of the computers on the planet ! ! And these two do a great job.

Yep, you guessed it. Insurance companies hire lobbyists too.

This panel recommends: Lift the legislative restrictions (bought and paid for by lobbyists) that prevent Healthcare Insurance Companies from selling policies in every state, just as auto insurance companies are allowed to do. What a no-brainer.

8. HMO's: Managed healthcare providers offer an affordable selection of medical services that were not available to the average person just 20 years ago. While many early providers offered poor services, competition has put most out of business. PPO's, that provide a Primary Physician and a virtual smorsgabord of specialists for the patient, have replaced the often - inefficient staff physicians available at the HMO.

My wife and I owe our lives to HMO's and PPO's. The mission of managed care is to detect and/or prevent illnesses before they become serious or fatal. Managed care provides frequent routine (and thorough) check ups - something many people, especially men, are reluctant to schedule.

I had a 90% blockage in some arteries that was discovered by a routine treadmill test, and stents were implanted. Without the HMO physician nagging me, I likely would not have discovered the blockage until my first (and maybe last) heart attack.

My wife was diagnosed with breast cancer after her annual HMO mammogram. The spot was very small and an operation and radiation treatment eradicated the problem some ten years ago.

HMO's saved our lives (and we're grateful)

This panel recommends that the public ignore the cheap shots that Hollywood and comedians routinely make toward HMO's, thus cutting the mortality rate, and cutting the expenses involved with caring for those with catastrophic (and preventable) diseases.

9. OTHER OPINIONS. While our national politicians think they know everything, my experience tells me that most don't even know a lot about the law, and 85% of them are lawyers.

If Healthcare needs reform, why would the elected lawyers discuss such an important issue behind closed doors, without soliciting the opinions of those in the healthcare industry (Doctors, nurses, hospital administrators, insurance providers, drug companies, medical schools, etc.)? In fact why don't they ask you and me, the patient, what we think of of the current system ?

Congressional politicians do not have the same healthcare that you and I do. I suspect some Senators and Representatives would be surprised to learn that in the real world, doctors no longer make housecalls.

The panel recommends that our elected leaders remember who works for whom, and remember who has the power to hire and fire them.

10. LIFESTYLE DIFFERENCES: Hey fatso. I appreciate your love for fat foods and ice cream (because I like them too). Druggie, feels great, doesn't it mayyyyyaaannn? Exercise? That wouldn't be today. Gay sex? Sure, especially without protection - Straight sex? Sure, especially without protection, AIDS? Why worry - Universal Healthcare "rights" will take care of it. I'm irresponsible. You pay. It's FAIR.

This panel recommends shooting all fat, promiscuous, homosexual people, drug and alcohol abusers, and lawyers. Of course then who will be left? Hmmm. The panel has its work cut out for it - we may have to reconsider the executions (except for the lawyers of course).

These are just some of the things that can be done to bring down healthcare costs, without tearing down the existing medical system and replacing it with a scatter-brained new program that will drive this country into bankruptcy.

If the goal of Mr.Obama and our other elected officials reallywas to make healthcare more affordable and more accessible, they would have adopted these and other simple policies long ago.

1 Source: John Stoessel

2 Ok. So Windows Vista sucks

If the goal of Mr.Obama and our other elected officials really was to make healthcare more affordable and more accessible, they would have adopted these and other simple policies long ago.

This letter was mailed to the Ft. Myers News-Press, New York Times, and Washington Post, Sean Hannity, Glenn Beck, and Bill O'Reilly. It was printed in the News-Press. I don't know about the others.

Subject Obama vs Facts

Sent Date 09-11-2009 10:29:43 AM

From "JOHN SAWYER" <knowitall6@lycos.com>

To <mailbag@news-press.com>

Re: HEALTH CARE “FACTS” – Illegal Immigration. Sept. 11

“The facts back up Obama?” You claim that “The House version of the health care bill explicitly prohibits spending any federal money to help illegal immigrants get health care coverage.” So what?

The Fourteenth Amendment, Section 1, states “ . . . nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.” This is commonly called the “Equal Protection Clause”, and has been cited in previous cases concerning the right of even illegal immigrants to public education and hospital care.

The Fourteenth Amendment DOES NOT say citizens, liberals, or street people; it says person.

If this Health Care bill is passed and ALL citizens therefore are entitled to health care, it is UNCONSTITUTIONAL to deny illegal immigrants the full benefits entitled to ALL. President Obama is a Law Professor, and he KNOWS that the restrictions you glowingly cite in the House bill are unconstitutional.

In your analysis you err.

John W. Sawyer III

Ft. Myers

Knowitall6@lycos.com

SAWYER2012.COM

239-292-6470

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE - A HEALTHCARE ISSUE (because I say so - and it's MY website)

Once again the local newspaper did a year end filler story on the poorly-named Domestic Violence issue. Mary Jones (not her real name) got the crap beat out of her by her first husband; divorced the jerk; married another wife-beater. After the latest beating wherein Mr. Desade threatened to kill her, Mary filed a complaint with the Lee County Sheriff's Department for battery.

"What did you do to provoke him" inquired the complaint-desk sergeant, who likely sees nothing wrong with setting the little lady straight in his own home? And so it goes.

First of all, "domestic violence" does not adequately define the situation. When we see or hear about a case of "domestic violence," the picture that pops in everyone's head is that of a sobbing, bruised, and bleeding woman cowering before the clenched fist of some guy, who invariably is bigger and stronger than she. Of course, there are cases of some women kicking the crap out of their husbands or boyfriends (eh, Tiger?), but we all know what really goes on here. N.O.W. nonsense notwithstanding, men are bigger, stronger, and a lot more aggressive. Men are hunters. Women nurture, Women are gatherers.

And what damn difference does it make why he teed off on her anyway ? What we know is that, given the opportunity, the asshole will do it again. So, the woman gets a restraining order and a shelter to hide out in. Tough guy gets out on bail, and a liberal judge orders counseling. Then he charges right through that restraining order and puts Mary in the Emergency Room or worse.

WHY?

I don't know and I don't care. I want it to stop. No liberal Judges, unsympathetic desk sergeants, overworked counselors and case workers, or well-meaning but useless government programs. When a woman gets assaulted, the court issues a restraining order. If the thug has any contact with the victim, ever, he is sent to jail for 90 days. The victim is issued a Glock 9mm handgun with a box of hollow point bullets ( hollow points won't pass through game and injure others ) and she is given an extensive 89 day course on how to use it. Then she is issued a license to bag ( limit one ) the abusive offender; anytime; any place, open season - shoot on site. If she nails him, she gets a $10,000 bounty from the government, and a coupon for 20% off from a taxidermist. Goodbye Earl.

Oh, you have a better idea? No? I didn't think so.