Reining in health care costs

Lots of talk is going on about health care today: access for all, controlling costs, improving care, addressing preventative care, not exempting people for pre-existing conditions, and lots more. Working in the health care industry, involved with DIRECT patient care, I see the waste and inequities of the current system every day I step into the hospital to care for my patients. So why aren't the people who are involved with the day-to-day care of patients being asked for their input on how to help health care become more of what all of us want it to be and how to make it more affordable?

Since no one has asked me, I'm going to throw out some of my suggestions. First, stop the pharmaceutical companies from advertising the latest, greatest new drug to treat problems you didn't know you had or didn't know that existed! Last year, the pharmaceutical companies spent $30 billion on research and development --- but spent over $60 billion on advertising those drugs you never knew you needed! And is it any wonder that they spent so much on advertising? The ads are flashy and glitzy, and hardly a commercial break happens without at least one or two of those plush ads graces our television screens. You, as the medical consumer, DO NOT need to be exposed to the "sucker-you-in" ads that prompt you to ask you doctor about this latest and newest drug to treat a problem you didn't know you had. Half as much money as is currently spent can be better spent on educating and informing physicians about those drugs ... and letting THEM decide which of their patients will most benefit from the new drug. This is the way it has happened for years prior to the previous 10 years or so that pharmaceutical companies started flooding our airwaves with "Viva Viagra" or "sleep like a butterfly with Ambien" type ads. And it worked VERY well. It can and will work just as well again.

Second, start paying for preventative care! It costs a LOT less to prevent a disease or condition (especially chronic health conditions) than it costs for long-term treatment of these diseases and conditions. For example, many (if not all) health care plans will NOT pay for smoking cessation products (Chantix, nicotine patches, nicotine gum, nicotine inhalers, nicotine lozenges, etc.). Instead, the insurance companies then are faced with the lengthy and expensive proposition of paying to treat patients suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, emphysema, chronic bronchitis, and asthmatic bronchitis (among other lung conditions) from years of patients smoking. Even paying for multiple rounds of smoking cessation products would be infinitely cheaper than paying for 20 to 40 years of treatment of a chronic condition that finds some patients making two to 12 or more hospital visits annually, many of which require a week or more of hospitalization. The current state of affairs makes absolutely no sense, especially since these insurance companies are so focused on the bottom line profit.

Third, restrict the wages of the CEO's of for-profit hospital administrators (heh ... any health care administrator, for that matter), pharmaceutical companies, and anyone else charged with providing the care/tools/equipment that provide for the general health and welfare of the medical consumers. What person needs $20 - $40 - $60 - $100 million salary (including incentives) to live on? This is just pure, unadulterated gluttony and greed. And that gluttony and greed is being paid for by the blood and well-being of the average medical consumer. It is blatantly obvious (to me, at least) that health care costs are grossly inflated and could easily be brought under control (or assisted) by eliminating these obscenely high salaries.

Fourth, make coverage for ALL a reality. We are the ONLY industrialized country in the world without universal access to health care for our citizens. While we, as a country, lead much of the world in the quality of our health care, it it out of reach for roughly 1/4 of our citizens. And that coverage for those who are either under-insured or non-insured is passed on to those who are covered by higher costs for those who do have coverage. WE END UP PAYING FOR THOSE WHO CANNOT AFFORD IT through higher health care costs. The costs of the care for those who cannot afford it get passed on to the rest of us who can afford it and who do pay for it. Personally, I don't care what method or model they choose to follow -- Great Britain, Canada, Cuba, France, Germany, Japan -- take your pick of any of those listed or pick your own -- just get it done! How can we be competitive, as a country, in a world market when we cannot or will not even take care of one of our most precious resources: the backs of the working people that make us competitive!

Finally, does it REALLY cost $4 or more for a Tylenol? If it's provided by the hospital pharmacy, the answer is YES. But what would be wrong with allowing a patient to provide his own bottle of Tylenol, ibuprofen, aspirin, or any other over-the-counter medication? Undoubtedly, the cost can be cut and the patient can actively contribute to the lowering of his/her own health care costs. The patient or their family members can bring their own OTC medications in, and the nurse or med-tech can administer it to the patient per the physician's orders (to insure compliance with the doctor's orders).

These are only the tip of the iceberg for ideas I have for helping bring health care costs under control and to make health care accessible to everyone. There are lots more ideas for how to accomplish this. But in this, an election year, health care is on the minds of most voters and candidates. And those of us involved most intimately with providing that patient care need to speak up and offer suggestions for how to improve things. After all, who better knows what needs to be fixed and how to fix it?

Gordita? Hey TACO BELL! What Are You Peddling?

The next time you go through the drive-thru at Taco Bell, be sure to order one of those Gorditas! You can have them Santa Fe style. You can have them crunchy and cheesy. But do you know what you are REALLY ordering? GORDITA means little fat girl in Spanish! Betcha didn't know!

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I've gotta add to my previous blog about stupid drivers. Now that we are deep in the throws of Winter, one of the more idiotic drivers has come out from their sleepy hibernation. They are the drivers of the "bullet-proof," "invincible" SUVs. They drive along snowy and icy streets, thinking they can drive like Mario Andretti -- just because they have a SUV with 4WD. What morons! I drive a 4WD vehicle, but realize something these imbeciles don't ... getting going is often not the problem, but stopping is. Regardless of how many "wheels" you have to get you going, we ALL have the same number of wheels to stop on -- 4! And it is stopping that gives them that reality check. I just hope in getting their dose of reality, no one else gets hurt.

... Not Tested On Animals

OK ... this one has me really confused. Over and over, on personal care products, I see the phrase "We do not test on animals."

I understand there is a very militant and violent faction of animal rights activists who would rather pillage, plunder, vandalize, and destroy animal testing labs. Hell, some of them don't really care if they hurt other people in the process. But the phrase "we do not test on animals" gives me NO comfort as a consumer.

Then how are these products tested to insure their safety? Obviously, the answer is on YOU AND ME! This phrase appears quite prominently on products from Perio-Distributing, Inc. out of Ohio. They are the makers of Barbasol shaving cream. This phrase also appears on products from Alberta-Culver, the makers of TreSemme haircare products and other personal care products, although it appears in the near-microscopic fine print on the bottle.

First, the last I checked, humans were also members of the animal kingdom. Top of the heap, the last I knew.

Secondly, if it comes down to a few lab mice, a rabbit, a dog ... whatever, versus me and my health and welfare ... I choose the former to have products tested on! Lab mice are bred for that specific purpose, so in my mind, there is no harm being done to the overall population of mice. Better a lab mouse than me! And, there are millions of other animals who meet their end daily in animal shelters, unwanted. At least something positive can come out of their demise, as they head over the Rainbow Bridge.

Don't get me wrong. I am definitely an animal lover. But I also like people, and don't think people should be turned into surrogate lab rats to pacify a militant faction of animal rights activists.

And ... face reality, folks ... there are much LARGER issues facing us in society than rather a few lab mice (bred for that purpose) meet their end helping to insure that the products we all use are safe for the marketplace and public consumption. Perhaps if the energy, drive and compassion possessed by the militant animal rights activists were directed towards these other social problems, this would be a much better world to live in.

Just my $0.02 worth ...

Paul

They DRIVE me MAD!

Stupid drivers ... that's what drives me mad!

I just gotta sound off about these morons who populate our roads.

Ever notice that, no matter how fast you are going, there is some moron who thinks he/she has to go even faster? You may be doing five or 10 mph over the speed limit yourself ... but there's that idiot who just HAS to be going five or 10 mph faster than you? And to top it off, he's weaving in and out of the lanes of traffic, with NO signal, causing a flurry of brake lights in his wake.

Of course, his counterpart is the idiot who drives five mph under the speed limit ... in the left lane! Nothing you do can get you around this "Einstein." You are trapped like a rat behind this idiot.

And you ever notice how some will drive without their lights on in heavy overcast conditions -- or after sunset? Or even worse yet, they drive with their parking lights on. HELLO?!?! There is a reason they call them "parking lights." If your car is in motion, you are not "parked." And if it's dark enough for them to turn on the "parking lights" just to see the instrument panel ... well, Mr. Spock, do you think it's dark enough that the rest of us might have a little trouble seeing you in the same darkness?? Your headlights aren't just for you to see with, but also so the rest of us can see you! Sounds logical, doesn't it???

And when did distortion become music? You pull up to the stoplight, and the tone-deaf (lmao, probably just DEAF) goober has the music cranked and the bass cranked to such a point that all you hear is the rattle of the car's body panels vibrating. While your tastes in music may include the latest, greatest pop artist to ever make music, not all of us share your opinion or your taste in music ... or the lack thereof. While it's nice that your mother taught you to share, it's highly unlikely that she meant sharing your music in such a manner.

Don't you just fall in love with the moron who pulls out in front of you ... and there isn't a soul in sight for three miles behind you? And to top it off, they proceed to poke along in front of you, leaving you with that familiar "trapped-like-a-rat" feeling now that you can't get around them.

Of course, one of my favorites is the lame-brain that thinks the brake pedal is a foot rest for his left foot. Trapped behind this idiot is a lesson in depth perception, as his brake lights are always on ... when he's accelerating, when he's decelerating, as he turns the corner, when he's stopped ... always! It's a brake pedal, not a foot rest! Brake with your right foot, Mr. Mush-for-brains! I bet a set of brake pads don't last you six months.

Can't you feel nothing but love for the moron who races up to a construction zone with the lane closed and expects you to let him slip into the line ahead of everyone else? Never mind that for the previous two miles, there have been 20 signs warning that the left lane was closed ahead. As far as I am concerned, this moron can just sit there until the road repairs have been completed! At least in some areas of the country, drivers are ticketed for this selfish and reckless act.

I know ... I'm rambling, but then I just had to say something!

All LEGAL Immigrants Welcome!

OMG! I can't believe the protests by ILLEGAL immigrants who want legal rights ... and even legal status!!! Ok, I can believe they want legal status, but what's wrong with obtaining that the LEGAL way, instead of "shortcutting" the rules and system.

Don't get me wrong - I'm definitely not a bigot; rather I'm probably one of the least bigotted persons you will ever know. I tend to make decisions on the people I meet on an individual basis, independent of race, creed, religion, sex, etc. And there is nothing wrong with anyone wanting to seek a better future and life for themselves and their families. But that quest should take place within the framework of the established rules.

As a third generation descendant of legal immigrants, I fully understand the desire to seek out better opportunities and a brighter future. My ancestors had the same dream, but they sought to conquer that dream legally. For the record, my paternal great-grandparents emigrated here from Germany, while my maternal great-grandparents emigrated to these shores from Ireland and England. Granted, they had little choice but to emigrate to the United States legally, since they didn't have the option to run across a shallow river at a poorly patrolled border.

First of all, there are very real and valid reasons people want to live in this country. They may want to escape religous persecution. Or they may want to seek the freedom to express themselves without fear of political persecution. Or they may seek the freedom to live their lives in freedom, relatively unencumbered by fear of retribution from an oppressive government or regime. In fact, in a large way, all the previous reasons cited are what led to the formation of this country.

Secondly, those seeking "amnesty" are asking the government to waive the rules that the illegal immigrant sought to circumvent. Isn't that very ironic? The government makes the rules by which an orderly society needs to live by and that prevent chaos. Now those who sought to detour around those rules want those rules waived. Imagine the chaos that will occur. It will effectively open the borders to any and all who want to come here, sending the message to subsequent illegal immigrants that the rules mean nothing and that they will also be welcomed without having to assimilate into the American culture and without having to embrace American laws.

Already, it is virtually impossible to go anywhere in this country without seeing a business or governement agency touting, "Se hable espanol." My ancestors emigrated to this country and took the time and effort to learn the English language. That is the language on which this country was founded. And, it is the language in which both the Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution is written. Part of assimilation into a culture means adopting the language of the land in which you have chosen to live. And there was something about American culture that became the catalyst for others to seek their opportunity to live here. Thus, that American culture should be embraced completely, not "piece-meal" as you choose. That means leave your OLD culture at the border and prepare to embrace the American way of life AND assimilate into that American culture.

Third, as much as illegal immigrants are willing to work at "menial" jobs that no one else wants at a wage higher than they may receive in their native land, they cost this country many times more than they contribute. The cost of medical care, education for their children, welfare programs, bilingual services, access to social programs (welfare, housing and food assistance, etc.), law enforcement - to name a few - far outpace in costs any financial contributions illegal immigrants make to the American economy. As a people, Americans are a charitable lot and will go to great lengths to extend aid to anyone who is in need.

Fourth, as they exist, countries have borders. Either we have them or we don't. Last time I checked, we in fact did have borders. And as a country, our government has every right, even an responsibility, to protect and secure those borders to keep those out who do not embrace (even despise) American laws, life and culture. Since 9/11/2001, the protection of those borders is even more important to keep out potential terrorists, who's only intention is to spread terrorism and destroy the American way of life. As it exists today, our southern border is essentially an open door, through which anyone can waltz through virtually unchecked.

Fifth, granting "amnesty" to all the illegal immigrants now in the US serves as an insult to all those immigrants and descendants of immigrants (me included) who bothered to arrive here by working within the rules and the system set up.

Sixth, isn't it ironic that many of those protesting here in the US would end up in prison for doing the same thing in their native land? And many do so waving the flag of their native land?!?! If you want to protest and change things, then they should be doing so in their native land. Create an environment of prosperity and hope THERE, instead of expecting those who are native to THIS land to change to suit them.

I have nothing against immigration, as long as it is legal. Already, America has given the illegal aliens much more than they contribute. They have been catered to with access to entitlement programs, bilingual government and business services, access to medical care, education, housing assistance, food assistance, legal assistance ... and many more "perks" than even I, as a native-born American, have access to. If you want to come to work or live in this country, then respect the laws of this country and seek your opportunities within the laws, rules and system already established.

Welcome!

Welcome to my personal blog! I've been wanting to do this for quite some time, and just now have gotten around to getting it set up.

So many times, thoughts and ideas just "come to you" ... thoughts you would like to write down and share with others. And sometimes, those the writing down of those thoughts allow you to vent and let off steam.

We all need an outlet for the good, the bad, the ugly, the beautiful, the sad, the happy, the wonderful times of life. Blogging should help provide that ... I hope!

A little about me. I am a registered respiratory therapist. I currently teach respiratory therapy at a college in Kansas City. I also work at a local hospital, where I have seen humanity at its best and worse. I have been working as a respiratory therapist for 18+ years.

Prior to my career as a respiratory therapist, I was a professional newspaper photographer. I did that for 10 years before suffering from severe burn-out. For me, it was a natural choice for an occupation, since I had an interest in photography since I was a child. I taught myself photography when I was 12 years old, and continued that learning curve all the way through my college education at the University of Kansas.

I currently live in Independence, Missouri ... hometown of one of our greatest former Presidents: Harry S Truman (no, there is NOT a period after the "S" ... even Harry said there wasn't!) Besides Independence, I have lived in Kansas City, Kansas (my birthplace); Parkville, Missouri; Leavenworth, Kansas; Lansing, Kansas; Glendale, Arizona; Fayette, Missouri; Griffith, Indiana; and Crown Point, Indiana.

This blog will serve as that outlet for my thoughts and ideas ... some being rants, some being raves. Hence, the title ... Raving Rantings. I'm not planning on any topic in particular ... just whatever comes to mind.

Hope you enjoy!

Paul Arnote