November 17th, 2009 by KevinMD in Better Health Network, Health Policy
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By Rahul Parikh, MD
There is plenty to criticize in our bungling trek toward health reform. Leaders on the right, left and at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue have sidestepped the crucial conversation of controlling the cost of care, in favor of partisan rhetoric about “death panels” and “rationing care.” Worse, the entire focus of reform has centered on spending billions of dollars on technology solutions that will only make marginal changes in the cost and quality of care Americans get.
I want to refocus the debate on what matters most: relationships. Let’s reinvest in the sitting down with, listening to, empathizing with and touching patients. Read more »
*This blog post was originally published at KevinMD.com*
November 12th, 2009 by Jon LaPook, M.D. in Better Health Network, Health Policy, Opinion, Video
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Watch CBS News Videos Online
President Obama has stressed the importance of “bending the cost curve” in order to put the brakes on galloping health care expenses that total 2.5 trillion dollars a year and are increasing at 6% a year. The fastest way to do this is shockingly simple: carefully explain to patients the known risks and benefits of procedures. Read more »
November 10th, 2009 by DrWes in Better Health Network, True Stories
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“Doc, I’ve got good news and bad news.”
“What’s that?”
“Well, I’ve lost six more pounds!”
“Wonderful! What’s the bad news?”
“Well, you know that new-fangled drug you gave me that works so well for my atrial fibrillation?”
“Yes.”
“We’ll, I’m part of that AARP Medicare Advantage Part D drug plan, and I just got the “partial” approved drug list for 2010 in the mail. My drug’s not on the list, so I called and found the drug’s been moved from a Tier II drug to a Tier III drug. That means it will cost me twice what I paid for it this year. That’s gonna be tough, doc. I can’t afford it.
But I also read that if you call this ‘800’ number and speak to them, they’ll allow me to obtain an exemption to keep the drug on Tier II for next year.” Read more »
*This blog post was originally published at Dr. Wes*
October 31st, 2009 by Shadowfax in Better Health Network, Opinion
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What Shari Welch Said.
Ultrasound is a neat toy, and I’m all about toys. I found two opportunities to play with enhance patient care with our ultrasound today on my shift. But it doesn’t have the bang for the buck that the enthusiasts think it does. It has very narrow, but real, utility, and does nothing to generate revenue. It does in some cases enhance patient turnaround, and it certainly enhances patient satisfaction (they love cool toys as much as we do — and extra face time with the doctor to boot!). But that’s a small return on a machine costing tens of thousands of dollars. Read more »
*This blog post was originally published at Movin' Meat*
September 29th, 2009 by DrRob in Better Health Network, Health Policy, Opinion
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Please allow me to coin a new term:
Medical Homelessness – Not having access to a consistent familiar medical setting. Not having a care location where one is known or where the medical information is accurate.
credit
I think medical homelessness is one of the main problems in our system.
Read more »
*This blog post was originally published at Musings of a Distractible Mind*
