Psychoblues
11-21-2010, 07:18 PM
I normally use FireFox and this link doesn't show up on the front page of DP using that browser. I came in a different way for the first time in months and there it was. I read through it and I find what Mr. Bill Cook has to say pertinent and seemingly supported by the owner of this board and hopefully by it's members. This is an essay and a link to an ongoing discussion. Bon Appetit'!
A CONVERSATION ON HEALTH CARE
with BILL COOK, FOUNDER OF COOK GROUP, INCORPORATED
For more years than I would like to count, the U.S. Congress has tried to find an affordable way to provide healthcare to every citizen. How can this be done? Congress must recognize that the most serious flaw in present healthcare is caused by difficult access to the system. This essay has one objective and that is to ask the reader to understand that easy access to the healthcare system is the key to successful medical legislation.
In 1953 I began my medical career as Medical Service Corpsman in the U.S. Army, based in San Antonio, Texas. I remember that San Antonio civilians without any insurance were admitted to Brook Army Hospital because there was nowhere else they could turn. As years passed I observed that many people continued to be denied easy access to medical treatment.
Because many uninsured or under-insured patients are not accepted by some physicians, it is very difficult for them to enter the healthcare system. By not having primary care access, citizens are not given opportunities to learn how to live a better lifestyle or to improve their health by utilizing comparatively inexpensive medical techniques. When many diseases are not treated in their early stages, misery and even death can result.
An example of a disease that often goes untreated is diabetes. Diabetes worsens as a patient grows older, resulting in loss of limbs, heart disease, and death. If diabetes is treated early, patients can lead productive lives. This treatment process can take place in a relatively inexpensive environment with local medical personnel and clinics.
As a nation we have unwittingly increased medical costs by not understanding how to lower costs: treat diseases early through the simple methodology of performing diagnosis, minor surgery, and drug regimens in a small, clinic environment.
Treating diseases early will save billions. First we must have easy access to clinics that are staffed adequately to handle some emergencies and minor ailments. Small clinics cannot only lower costs by catching diseases early but also prevent more serious complications later. Properly treated, many illnesses respond without the need for hospitalization and expensive life-saving diagnostic and surgical interventions.
We need low-cost or free primary clinics that are plentiful and spread throughout cities, towns, and countrysides. Because many expensive diagnostic tools are not needed in primary care clinics, the cost to build and maintain these facilities is minimal. When more elaborate tools are needed, patients would be sent to nearby clinic-hospital centers for additional treatment. These procedures would be paid for by Medicare or Medicaid type insurance programs or a newly created Federal insurance.
Major costs in the development of national primary care in “local clinics” would be for education and staffing of enough new physicians, technicians, physician assistants, nurses, and nurse assistants. It will be necessary to project how many primary care units are needed to take care of the 12 to 20 million uninsured or under-insured patients. Operation of these proposed clinics should be financially maintained by the Federal government. Small clinic staffing would be determined by estimating the number of admissions.
More and more links: http://healthcareaccess.cookmedical.com/?gclid=CJuUlcyPs6UCFbBl7AodtnDUag
It's a great conversation for those truly interested in the subject. Probably a bit dry for those only interested in stamping their feet and screaming "GET THE GUV 'MINT OUT OF MY MEDICARE".
Again, enjoy!
Psychoblues
A CONVERSATION ON HEALTH CARE
with BILL COOK, FOUNDER OF COOK GROUP, INCORPORATED
For more years than I would like to count, the U.S. Congress has tried to find an affordable way to provide healthcare to every citizen. How can this be done? Congress must recognize that the most serious flaw in present healthcare is caused by difficult access to the system. This essay has one objective and that is to ask the reader to understand that easy access to the healthcare system is the key to successful medical legislation.
In 1953 I began my medical career as Medical Service Corpsman in the U.S. Army, based in San Antonio, Texas. I remember that San Antonio civilians without any insurance were admitted to Brook Army Hospital because there was nowhere else they could turn. As years passed I observed that many people continued to be denied easy access to medical treatment.
Because many uninsured or under-insured patients are not accepted by some physicians, it is very difficult for them to enter the healthcare system. By not having primary care access, citizens are not given opportunities to learn how to live a better lifestyle or to improve their health by utilizing comparatively inexpensive medical techniques. When many diseases are not treated in their early stages, misery and even death can result.
An example of a disease that often goes untreated is diabetes. Diabetes worsens as a patient grows older, resulting in loss of limbs, heart disease, and death. If diabetes is treated early, patients can lead productive lives. This treatment process can take place in a relatively inexpensive environment with local medical personnel and clinics.
As a nation we have unwittingly increased medical costs by not understanding how to lower costs: treat diseases early through the simple methodology of performing diagnosis, minor surgery, and drug regimens in a small, clinic environment.
Treating diseases early will save billions. First we must have easy access to clinics that are staffed adequately to handle some emergencies and minor ailments. Small clinics cannot only lower costs by catching diseases early but also prevent more serious complications later. Properly treated, many illnesses respond without the need for hospitalization and expensive life-saving diagnostic and surgical interventions.
We need low-cost or free primary clinics that are plentiful and spread throughout cities, towns, and countrysides. Because many expensive diagnostic tools are not needed in primary care clinics, the cost to build and maintain these facilities is minimal. When more elaborate tools are needed, patients would be sent to nearby clinic-hospital centers for additional treatment. These procedures would be paid for by Medicare or Medicaid type insurance programs or a newly created Federal insurance.
Major costs in the development of national primary care in “local clinics” would be for education and staffing of enough new physicians, technicians, physician assistants, nurses, and nurse assistants. It will be necessary to project how many primary care units are needed to take care of the 12 to 20 million uninsured or under-insured patients. Operation of these proposed clinics should be financially maintained by the Federal government. Small clinic staffing would be determined by estimating the number of admissions.
More and more links: http://healthcareaccess.cookmedical.com/?gclid=CJuUlcyPs6UCFbBl7AodtnDUag
It's a great conversation for those truly interested in the subject. Probably a bit dry for those only interested in stamping their feet and screaming "GET THE GUV 'MINT OUT OF MY MEDICARE".
Again, enjoy!
Psychoblues