Comments on: “Comparative effectiveness research”

By: Captain Faris

Captain Faris — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 15:33:07 +0000

Obviously, the debate is driven by whether or not a person believes in free enterprise and competition. I definitely am leary of elected officials when they are elected by “the least of these”, i.e. by the uneducated undecideds who are swayed by hype during political campaigns. Government can and ought to (and does) regulate businesses to help ensure the benefits of free competition and choice in the marketplace. What’s needed is more tweaking of the regulations so as to produce the best business environment (not to micromanage how businesses run themselves).

But of course, other people favor government programs rather than free enterprise.

I believe my first post related to the character of “who” is in charge is relevent. Decent businessmen and decent politicians are both better than rogues in either category. And competition between businesses (and politicians) supposedly makes the cream rise to the top. But it is marketing and clever advertising that can make sludge look palatable.

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By: musing

musing — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 01:05:31 +0000

sawgunner post 15,

actually unmder the majority of private insurance programs, your company can choose to have your care managed by a different bureaucrats. You typically as an individual have little input on this.

And I suspect you will find signficant regions where today there is effectively only one health insurer.

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By: Sawgunner

Sawgunner — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 20:44:51 +0000

#12 You raise a valid point.. but with the private bureaucrats you can CHOOSE to have your care managed by a different bureaucrat working in another insurance company

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By: Allen Wrench

Allen Wrench — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 20:35:26 +0000

(1) Andrée Seu writes (in part): “Assuming that Obama is not totally off his rocker…”

Check that assumption, Andrée. False assumptions can lead to erroneous conclusions.

(2) I thought you’d had the MRI by this time. Keep us posted, please, many of us are praying for you.

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By: hrw

hrw — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 20:20:40 +0000

The use of tort often reflects an inability to obtain consumer satisfaction and protection by other means. Usually the states with the least amount of consumer protection have the highest tort rates.

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By: hrw

hrw — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 20:19:18 +0000

10
traditional solution but history demonstrates that once income security has been achieved birth rates decrease.

super socialist care rationer.
or an anonymous private corporate bureaucrat.

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By: Sawgunner

Sawgunner — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 19:41:14 +0000

#8 HRW,
I’ve heard this as well. A technically better skilled cardiologist was a more frequent lawsuit target than was an amiable smiling cardiologist. This despite the fact that the first man was objectively a BETTER heart surgeon.
What does this say about America? That some attorney could convince a person to bring a lawsuit on the basis of perceived personality quirk?
My brother had his dental medmal insu increased despite never even having a suit brought against him. He learned this was done because an aggressive tort lawyer was operating in the area.

Since most politicians are lawyers who have like Sen Edwards made plenty off of med mal lawsuits or their threat, I dont foresee any real reforms to bring down med costs. I do like the idea of state’s setting up “health courts” to focus exclusively on med practice tort law.

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By: Sawgunner

Sawgunner — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 18:47:17 +0000

I like the idea of COST/BENEFIT ANALYSIS but CBA is normally done in the aggregate. I think the best strategy for those who want adequate health care in their elderly years is as follows: You marry early and stay married. You have a big family. You encourage your kids to pursue good education and lucrative careers. Ea of the kids contributes to a fund for your eventual higher health care needs in your elderly years. One kid will have power of attorney but all will vote on your end of life care (subject to your own Advance Directives)
I think with more and more folks marrying late or not marrying and not having as many children when they do marry, we will eventually confront lots of elderly never marrieds with no support at home. I feel sad for them. They will be burdensome “use-less eaters” and dealt with accordingly by a super socialist care rationer.

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By: hrw

hrw — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 18:43:48 +0000

CER Czar appointed by a nobody who looks good on TV and can go from one teleprompter to another without missing a beat.

As opposed to an anonymous CEO who is responsive only to shareholders demanding a profit?

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By: hrw

hrw — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 18:42:39 +0000

There’s been some research done on why doctor’s get sued. Its not because they make mistakes but because they aren’t well liked by the patient. Malpractice insurance companies now recognize that its not competence but personality that is the deciding factor.

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