What are the 5 biggest myths?

The 5 biggest myths circulation around health care reform through all channels of media and confusing a whole lot of people are:

1. It would lead to a government take over

2. An overhaul would lead to rationing, where people face denials or delays in health care

3. The bills do nothing to address out-of-control cost growth

4. If you like your health insurance you can keep it

5. The bills are too big, and changes should be tackled one by one instead of all at the same time

These are some important myths that need to be answered before the public can agree with health care reform. Read the explanations or truths here

Oh politics... I don't think I will ever understand you

I like to think that I am a moderate when it comes to politics. I pride myself on the fact that I can see issues from both sides before making a final decision. However, lately the Republicans have been too much for me to deal with. It seems no matter what they are going to kill health care reform. What I can not understand is why.

Ok it will will be expensive. But isn't health care already too expensive. Medicare might be expanded. This can be good since Medicare as of right now might not exist in 8 years and bankrupt the country. A lot of people will be affected by new insurance policies. OK yes but the more people who have insurance, the more likely the cost will go down. Many doctors will have to change how they practice medicine. This can be good if quality and efficiency increases.

Oh maybe they don't want to support reform because it is not going to go their way, and they might not be re-elected. With the way they helped the economy drop, I guess I would be worried about my job too. (of course I am a big believer of new blood in the government)

The worst however is when they act like they want reform, and then behind the democrats back, they bash the bill and are no longer playing nice. Here is a nice example of that.

Another Reform Idea

Here is an interesting idea: pilot programs. We really have no idea what is and what is not going to work for reforming the health care system. We have some models around the country that consistently see high quality while lowering costs, but they have had years to perfect this technique. However, each area of the country faces their own unique challenges, opportunities and population variations. So maybe each area should use what works best for them instead of forcing everyone to do the same thing. As long as we all have the overall goal of reducing cost and increasing quality, maybe this could work.

Atul Gawande, surgeon and writer, suggests this strategy and some other needed reforms to payment and quality. He has been right in the past, so maybe he will be right again with health care reform.

Read his full story in the New Yorker

http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2009/12/14/091214fa_fact_gawande?currentPage=1

Debating Health Care costs

Health care costs is the number one biggest debated topic for reform. Some say the costs will go down (after partially going up to get things moving) while other argue costs will just continuously increase after insuring more people. There is also a small number that believe costs and Medicare will operate the same after reform as it operates now- inefficient with lack of quality.

Most agree that we need to reform cost before reforming other quality issues in health care such as prevention or medical errors; however, no one can agree how it will all pan out once reform is passed.

Personally I think we should just let the experts figure it all out. I am not an economist, nor are the majority of politicians or Americans for that matter, so we should be concerned (obviously) but giving our opinions just confuse the topic more.

Check out this article for more information on both sides debating cost control

http://www.kaiserhealthnews.org/Columns/2009/December/120309Capretta.aspx