One of the great debates in health care is the rendering of unnecessary health care and the application of correct medical protocols.
So called health care reform will only intensify this debate. You can count on two things. More and more procedures, tests and screenings will come into question and when they do there will be groups ( some with a financial stake) that will strenuously oppose any change. You can also count on the American people siding with those who favor more and more frequent of everything.
The American view is and will remain that more and more expensive is better health care. Changing that point of view is what health care reform should be about.
Here is an example of where we are headed:
New screening suggestions for mammography
No doubt there will be those opponents of reform who will point to this example as an indication of what is to come within a public option, that is, government pointing to such studies and using the information to deny coverage. Such a position is a big mistake. As we know, defensive medicine and unnecessary care and testing not only are major drivers of costs, but of harm and discomfort to patients.
What we need is a trusted, objective way of conducting value, cost/benefit studies to determine how to raise the quality of our health care while assuring the minimum cost possible. Easy to say, not so easy to do….despite what the members of Congress like to tell us.
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