Comments on: Kerry offers same-old-same on healthcare reform

by: Steve Trinward

Sun, 27 Aug 2006 22:16:37 +0000

Apologize for the delay in responding, Kelly; long overdue and much needed vacation/family trip … just catching up now. You make a lot of good points, although not always with the correct information (e.g., Big Pharma did not create the AMA, the Doctors themselves did, as a trade union to protect their craft — and they then made as many mistakes in rejecting capitalism (investors in needed advances, studies, etc.) as they did in resisting socialism … and thus left the gates wide open for the then-only-growing Pharma to control the field.). Your best advice is the last line: education, self-responsibility and good sense … along with checkups (both allopathic and naturo-) to ensure you can maintain through the challenges presented. I also recommend Maggie Mahar’s book; would send you mine but I passed it along to someone who may be able to make use of it in her coming term in a state legislature …

by: Kelly Williams

Sat, 19 Aug 2006 21:50:54 +0000

There is more going on than just insurance premiums increasing. The whole system of health care has been compromised in various ways. Big Pharma created the AMA which in turn was given the “power” to create medical schools. Within the halls there is no room for the basics of human health, one of the most glaring omissions is the subject of proper nutrition and how it impacts overall health. Additionally, treatments for symptoms are the norm while the question of what is causing the symptom is ignored. Now that the good doctors are hoodwinked, then pressure can be brought on the FDA to allow medications that have been proven to decrease the quailty of health up to the point of death. In the example of Vioxx, how many BILLION in profit happened before public outcry forced the removal from the marketplace? But I digress, the insurance companies have certain forms that they will accept from the Dr.s office. There isn’t a standard form. The Dr must then add staff in order to do nothing but handle paperwork. Add in all Federal and State compliance regulations for record keeping and then add in the cost of mal-practice insurance for that Doctor. Which then gets passed on to your health care insurance which then causes your premium to increase.. Ask this simple question, “Who or what stands to gain from this?” and follow the money. I believe that any reasonable person will soon see the true picture devoid of the hype. It is unfortunate but the Medical Industry in America has learned it’s lessons of fraud, deceit, and misdirection far too well for the people that depend on this industry for health care, are nothing more to them than a carbon based revenue unit. The picture I have painted is a bleak one. Which is usually the case when government is involved to any degree. However, the true solution to this mess is rather simple. In true libertation fashion, educate yourself about your health, become responsible for it and take action that you have decided is best for you.

by: Steve Trinward

Mon, 07 Aug 2006 02:25:01 +0000

Both of these issues have been explored, along with many others, by Maggier Mahar in “Money-Driven Medicine” … I spent four of these “editorials” reviewing it recently; you might like to take a look at the summaries of her conclusions there …

by: Michael Wilson

Tue, 01 Aug 2006 02:08:32 +0000

One of the problems with healthcare in the U.S. is that the medical insurance industry is not a
nationwide market. Instead each state is its own market as I understand it due influence
of state insurance regulators, Insurance Commissioners, etc. This also impact the medical
malpractice insurance industry.
Another, often overlooked issue is the licensing of medical equipment.
Both of these issue need to explored to some length. Something that I do not have time
to do unfortunately.
M.H.W.