[DeTomaso] NPT Interesting Observation on Health Care Costs

[Steve Hawkins]

We take those options because we're insulated from the true cost through the
use of insurance.  Without insurance (which is legalized gambling)the cost
for health care would be a lot less.

Steve

-----Original Message-----
From: detomaso-bounces at realbig.com [mailto:detomaso-bounces at realbig.com] On
Behalf Of Will Kooiman
Sent: Saturday, July 18, 2009 10:58 AM
To: 'Ken Green'; detomaso at realbig.com
Subject: Re: [DeTomaso] NPT Interesting Observation on Health Care Costs


It isn't just one thing, though.

Uninsured/illegals drive the cost up.  My cousin is a hospital
administrator.  She has said that uninsured healthcare costs them plenty.

I'm embarrassed to say that I've visited the ER more than my share.  The
last time (dislocated toe) I turned around because the line of illegals was
too long.  The previous time it took 3 hours to remove a speck of metal from
my eye.  The Dr. only took 30 minutes.  The other 2:30 was spent waiting on
the illegals.  True - they may not have been illegal, but that's my first
impression when they don't speak English and they're in the ER for what
would normally be a pediatrician visit - runny noses, etc.

There's also the profit going to the scanning equipment companies, drug
companies, etc.  They need to recover their research and development costs,
but it's way out of proportion.

I'm not completely disagreeing with you, though.  I've had my share of
hospital bills - over $1M.  Maybe with hindsight some of the procedures were
unnecessary.  In most cases, though, I did what the Dr. recommended - not
what he offered.

Maybe I am disagreeing...  That $1M was mostly MRIs (5 or 6), spinal taps
(13), drugs (legal), and fairly routine surgical procedures.  I don't mean
to belittle the Dr.'s.  I owe them my life.  It's just that the costs for
everything - mostly Hospital charges - should have been lower - not $10K,
but definitely not $1M (I personally paid about $100K).


-----Original Message-----
From: detomaso-bounces at realbig.com [mailto:detomaso-bounces at realbig.com] On
Behalf Of Ken Green
Sent: Saturday, July 18, 2009 9:07 AM
To: detomaso at realbig.com
Subject: [DeTomaso] NPT Interesting Observation on Health Care Costs

I have my routine (no issues) physical yesterday, and asked my doctor if it
is true that the ER visits by uninsured is what's pushed up medical bills. 
He said that while uninsured and illegals were a cost, the real driver is
that there are a huge number of high dollar options and most people want to
try everything.  So if additional tests are another $100,000, and may have a
1 percent chance of showing something, the doctor feels like he has to offer
it, and the families generally want it.  Also, most of this is in the last
month or so of life.  So, we found the enemy, and he is us.  I guess it's
easier to blame someone else than to make hard choices. 
 
Ken
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