Will Doctors or Bureaucrats Prescribe Our Health Care?
by Capitol ConfidentialSenator Jon Kyl and a group of Senators – including Sens. Mitch McConnell (Ky.), John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Tom Coburn (R-Okla.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), and Pat Roberts (R-Kan.) have introduced critical legislation that seeks to protect the doctor and patient relationship from the oncoming onslaught of ObamaCare.
Known as the PATIENTS Act, the bill works to protect the individualized relationship between doctors and patients ensuring that new government rules and mandates that put a premium on cost never interfere with the practice of quality medicine.
To better understand how that will happen if ObamaCare is not defunded or repealed, it is critical to understand the nature of “comparative effectiveness research.” In order to save money for the cost of socialist health care regimes, bureaucrats often play the “comparative effectiveness research” card to mandate that doctors provide inferior care and treatment that often does not work.
These studies, for which there is nearly a billion dollars worth of funding in the ObamaCare bill, become the basis of bureaucratic mandates that substitute the government’s judgment for that of a doctor. For instance, if a government study says that drug X is as effective as drug Y (which is cheaper), the government will often begin to deny coverage for drug X forcing the doctor to use drug Y. In some instances, patients only respond to drug X. Doctors and patients should never be forced to take drugs that don’t work. Doctor’s need to be able to make these decisions without interference from a bureaucrat. That is what the Kyl bill seeks.
This is not a theoretical argument any longer.
The Wall Street Journal is reporting that the National Institute of Health has been conducting a study of the drugs Avastin and Lucentis. Lucentis is an FDA approved drug that is highly effective is stopping macular degeneration – a disease of the eye. The drug was tested and found safe to inject into the eye and patients report miraculous results. Avastin, on the other hand, was never approved for such a purpose. While effective in extending the life of cancer patients, it was never approved for eye injections. But because Avastin is cheaper than Lucentis, the NIH has been studying whether the drug should be substituted for Lucentis for “off-label” use.
This effort appears to have hit a roadblock. A Johns Hopkins University Study seems to indicate the dangers of such a scheme. The Journal reports that using Avastin for this non- approved purpose showed an 11% higher risk in overall mortality and a 57% higher risk of hemorrhagic cerebrovascular accident. “Data from this Medicare claims analysis suggest differences in the safety profile of Avastin versus Lucentis,” the researchers concluded.
Quality, safety and effectiveness are paramount concerns over cost and those decisions are best made on the front line of the health care battle – in the doctor’s office. Senator Kyl and his supporters understand this implicitly and hopefully the rest of the Congress will come to their senses soon.
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41 Comments
Drive the Socialist ObamaCare right over a cliff! It's a disaster! People will die and Medical Innovation will die also!
under 0bamacare? bureaucrats, hands down.
Remember that ObamaCare is NOT just about Medicine. There are Billions in NEW Taxes in there and hundreds of NEW Government Agencies and Regulations! to steal MORE of our freedoms! It's the direct path to "Fundamentally Transforming America" into Socialism! KILL THE BILL!
Maybe it will be Doctors AND Bureaucrats.
Heck, they could create a slot for "Doctor" John Boyd.
Medical Czar.
My wife has adult onset asthma. It took well over a year for her and her Dr. to find the right medication to control it. A one size fit all approach would not work for her. If Obamacare mandates only one medication she would still be suffering from the asthma. My point is people react differently to medications so limiting the choices will cause many people to continue to suffer.
"limiting the choices will cause many people to continue to suffer"
That IS their goal, after all.
The answer is neither. Primary care MD's will be phased out and completely replaced by PA's or Nurse Practitioners. Same for anesthesia. Specialits are hard to replace, but the wait to see one will be on the order of months to years. The bureaucrats certainly will influence the PA's and NP's as I'm sure they'll get some financial incentive to deny care, deny tests and deny referals to specialists. Hell, those who have the most patient deaths with the least amount of incurred cost may receive an award and a bonus.
People, things will get ugly. Quality healthcare is 3 years away from being gone for good in the US.
By the way, I'm a physician, and feel very strongly that I am accurate in my assessment. Almost all MD's I know agree, and take this scenario for granted. Every anesthesiologist I know is already preparing for the worst.
See below, she will be at high risk for survival once Obamacre is fully unleashed.
My daughter will be a bona fide Vet Doctor by the end of May (large animal) …she will have 2 new and permanent patients as well: Hubby and me.
Maybe they will just bring Sanger back to life or Bernard-Shaw.
Never underestimate the left's ability to penalize those who can't see their superior logic. Even if this bill becomes law they will, through some kind of regulatory agency, penalize the doctor and patient for not using the "preferred treatment" (i.e. the doctor cannot bill as much and the patient will have to pay more). The Dems must go in 2012.
Don't laugh too hard at me.
I rarely take any type of medicine.
I'm pretty healthy and have the constitution of a horse, and the temperament of a rattlesnake.
On the rare occasion that I do, I get it from the Vet.
Syrin,
I feel sorry for young docs in hock up to their eyeballs with school debt but they'll find a way too. At least till the bills are paid. Or they won't. If they don't…..no slack from me. Medicine is a calling, not a bid'ness.
I'm an FP and I will plan to keep on seein patients, keep on takin MC and keep on treating anyone who shows up at my door or calls me to come to theirs. I don't care if they pay me with chickens or fruits and veggies from their ILLEGAL back yard gardens.
I went into medicine to heal people and I can do that from a single wide trailer. Politics doesn't factor anywhere in that equation. Whatever some krap politician cooks up…he can flat knock himself out talkin to the hand. It certainly won't stop me from what I dreamed about doin since I was 6.
However, given your scenario might I make a modest suggestion? Take on some hunters and ranchers as patients. They pay guuuud…………YUMMMM!
)))
a doctor of course. dr. bureaucrat.
Dr. Kevorkian.
When they started letting insurance company's dictate what kind of care patients would be allowed to receive, I knew we were in trouble…that was over 20 years ago!!!
Obama yet again destroying American businesses in order to benefit his communist allies.
just when I thought there were not enough dead Progressives….
I'd like "Facts about Obamacare" for 1000, Alex:
What is "Bureaucrats will prescribe healthcare"?
Of course they will– since doctors will be required to comply with their (and ultimately, Obama's) rules, or risk violating their federal laws……
I'm afraid to ask who trims your toenails…
Am I alone in thinking this?
April 12, 2011
Dear Mr. Romney,
It has been said that the first act of insanity is writing a letter to a politician expecting that they will do something about it. The next step to real insanity is running for office. I’m not there yet but I’m getting closer with every letter I write. Then their is you. I truly can’t figure you out. Let me be clear, as Mr. Obama likes to say, I will be voting for anyone but Obama on November 6, 2012. There’s no debate about that. But I have an internal one about you.
When I sit here and write to Obama I know he is the problem, but are you the solution? Think about it from my perspective. I’ve witnessed this country fail to unify and fight islam based fascism and to this day they are a gathering force for Evil in the world. Our dollar has gone into the toilet. I know people who are police officers who are stock piling ammunition and guns. When police officers do that then there is something that is terribly wrong with our nation. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a lifetime member of the NRA, been one since September 12, 2001, but if those officers think that then it is cause for great concern. I pay someone to do my taxes, all in, I give up 60% of what I earn in one year, which I’ve already filed and paid early because I’ve always made a habit of trying to do the right thing. Sometimes I’ve not done it. But who has? You seem like a guy whose trying to be something you are not when you try to appeal to voters like me.
Am I expecting you to buy a red sail boat, not pay your taxes, and go duck shooting like John Kerry? No. I guess what I’m looking for is something to hang the future of my family on other than a can of hairspray and a well oiled speech. We need to see the real you not the polished you. Obama is a highly manufactured individual. I’ve detailed that out six ways to sunday how this is so in letter after letter. We don’t want the white version of Obama with the Republican label on their lapel. We want an American. But what is an American? Take some time and think about that.
Having written these words and tried to tell the truth as I see it, I have no future in the Republican party as presently constituted. But a future party may welcome people like me who strive to tell the truth no matter how electorally inconvenient it may be. As for you, like I said before, I’m voting for any one but Obama, I now this charade the rest of America is about to witness is more about not giving Americans a choice and more about presenting her citizens with two sides of the same coin. Why have an election when you can have a selection. I want a Palin/Rubio team to advocate for. Or even a Palin/Ryan team. Or any combination there of. I want my next vote to be cast for a team that is ready and willing and able to take drastic measures to save, protect, and defend a dieing nation. My fear is that you are not that type of citizen.
Prove me wrong.
Respectfully,
Joe Doakes
Ha ha! Bury your face in a feedbag and let the vet take a look. At least the vet won't have Big Brother in the form of Obamacare looking over his shoulder.
I go out to my tackroom and get my shoeing rasp out of my horseshoeing box………
Nope …Vets were included in the ObamaCare …they knew some of us peeps would start using the Vets. My daughter says the Vets at U of FL are pi$$ed beyond belief (and most of them are/were libs).
What about the socialist program called medicare?
No kidding. They actually know more than a MD, IMO. Is unfrigginbelievable what she has had to learn AND then actually has had to apply that knowledge to an animal.
No laughing here, CL. We've been doing the same. In fact, whenever we get a script for an antibiotic (the last 2 were for the dog) …we have to always call and get a refill because we inadvertently spilled them all into the sink. Oooopsie. (Stocking up on 'Bartering' items.)
Exactly. I can just see my doc being told that the antibiotic he "should" give me is penicillin. No matter that I'm deathly allergic to it!
What's even worse than this drug substitution thing is what they do in the UK to some cancer patients. If a doctor prescribes Avastin, the NHS won't pay for it but will pay for a substitute drug. But if the patient decides to shell out the cash for Avastin, the NHS will literally kick him out of the system–that is, they'll stop paying and providing ALL his medical care.
That's what we have to look forward to.
Obamacare is going to make the worst of the old HMOs look like gifts from heaven.
Dang it all, you two. I was feeling real lazy today and wasn't going out for a run and wanted to scarf down a donut. Just changed my mind………….thanks.
(grumble, grumble)
Joe trust me your not alone! I am just as frustrated as you. The MSM is pushing Romney hard so I know he is O lite. He once was my governor, just find the picture with Mitt and Ted and look at the big grins all around. Mitt should have veteod it and let the legislature overturn it, but he DID NOT!!!
The true measure of a man is what he does when he thinks no one is looking.
OBAMA tells you OBAMAcare will cut 17 trillion dollars from senior care. The political decision has already been made…it's not about health care whatsoever…it is death…welcome to enslavement and mass murder…your murder if aged or sick or politically incorrect…damned Democrap…repeal it and pay the bastards back who voted for it. Voting Machines are Death Panels, too.
Syrin,
Sooo been there.
We had the same problem in Ft Worth….mostly neurosurgeons who finally all quit takin ER call. I cornered one and asked what the big deal was and he told me.
I have a patient payin me $50K for neurosurgery tomorrow. I get a callout at 3am for some wino dead head hit by a semi while he was staggerin down a highway. Some new hot shot paramedic pulls out all the dam stops, manages despite the fact his head is unrecognizable from a squashed watermellon to get a dam pulse so it's wooo hooo code three hell bent for leather to the ER.
eye roll as everyone watches capt veggie being swept through the door, baggers baggin, IVs all over hellingone and of course zero possible outcome other than a blank check being cut by anyone who touches him from that point on and they expect ME to jump in my car and rush over to do what? His brain matter is oozin out his ears, racoon eyes big as baseballs and he's minus 20 on the coma scale!
Meanwhile I stand around pretending there's anything I can do besides ask the nurse for two sugars in my coffee, and by the time I get back home, I'm exhausted, pist off, and in less than an hour I gotta get up, get dressed, go to the hospital and do surgery on my PAYING PATIENT who's waited 2 freakin months for this surgery… but I'm too crosseyed with fatigue to even put my scrub pants on the right way???
Yah…..That's not gonna happen.
My patients have this idiotic idea that I should be awake, alert, and fully prepared when I open their BRAIN CASE AND MUCK AROUND in their brain tissue.
And thus came to be the plan where Harris Methodist HIRED IN HOUSE SPECIALISTS for their main ER. No point in assuming any other specialist would feel any differently and they have every right to. I don't want to pay some surgeon who's been up all night in the ER either. No way.
Here in Tucson we already have hospitalists who have been working for literally years. Most docs got the message as prices on all care kept going up. Patients expect to be seen by their doctor in the office. Since hospital rounds aren't really much of anything but baby sitting since the ICU staffs have been filled with wonderful and very skilled nurses, that one was a no brainer. I must say our Hospitalists are a good crew…..I didn't trust them at first but they really know their stuff. I feel totally confident with them doing the initial admission. And I am free to swing by or not, as my day goes, knowing the patients are still getting good care from our group.
The ER is also a place where we decided no compromise was good so we have contracted with a good group of FPs, internists, GYNs and pediatricians who don't want to work full time either. Works out great for everyone. And patients always see a real doctor, and it they are our patients, they see our guys. Work with them and they've excellent.
Whether the hospitals and physician groups like ours are willing to pay them enough will be key. In our case we opted for Nurse Practitioners in the urgent care/after hours clinics instead of the hospitals. That way, since they're next door, there's always someone they can double check with and the hospital/ER gets the real deal physician.
We have docs who, swear to God, fly in from California to work for us in 3 month rotations. They say they make more here ON LOWER SALARY BUT NO UNION DUES than they do there, lolol!
IMO obamacare isn't the main driver on this issue. It's been building since the late 80's. Most pvt hospitals started routing pts over to County or teaching hospitals. Teaching hospitals, truth be told, give really good care cause patients can have up to 3-4 docs all looking them over, as well as a senior staff teacher. Talk about bang for your buck.
Know what I think the worst problem is? Too many generations have been brought up thinkin there's a pill or treatment for everything, they're never supposed to get sick and if they do, they're expected to suck it up, go to the office, infect all their friends, and ignore their own body's needs for rest and nutrition while their immune system does the heavy lifting. They want instant cures, instant symptomatic relief, and they seriously believe if the eat right and jog, and don't smoke, obsess over their cholesterol and triglyceride levels, and live ubber healthy lives……… they are gonna make it to 90.
Well I've seen 90 and I'm here to say…..there are worse things than death and bein 90 with bad genetics is right up there at the top of my list. Before they decide to live forever, they MIGHT wanna take a gander at grandpa, grandma, mom and dad…………dudes……..it matters, lol!
"people will die". Don't you understand – that is what the liberals want. After all, people only suck up money and resources and foul the earth that should be left untouched for the flora and fauna.
And then you have a whole other underground drug market. Why is it that the liberals, who so value the "right to choose" when it comes to abortion, do not believe in the same right when it comes to other medical treatment. Let's face it – the only people that liberals want to save are death row inmates.
Sis,
You have yourself that donut and don't jog, stroll…..smell the flowers……rest your mind in peaceful nature and your body will take care of itself. Stress….whether its from worryin about things you can't change, worryin about things you should change, or worryin about whether you've changed enough to make a difference…..
WORRY'S the killer.
Make peace with life, the universe and everything and watch your cholesterol and triglycerides bottom out, not to mention your weight balancing out exactly where it needs to be so you can eat what you love, do what you want and it won't go up or down more than 5 lbs year round.
happy makes ya healthy……..really really.
))
Not totally sure, nor is my daughter other than they have been required to fill out more and more forms over the past 2 years that the gov't can track. From what I see, the gov't may use Vets to treat the peeps. Vets are the only doctors legally allowed to practice euthanasia …Just saying.
This article refers to the funding: http://www.redstate.com/russvought/2011/03/09/hou...
Word. I had to chuckle. You pretty much described me. Of course, it's easy when you built a log cabin on a lake in beautiful North Texas. That's probably the reason everybody, including my doc thinks I'm 30 years younger than I am……….I always tell them it's Attitude…..and homemade beer. :^D
BTW…….when the heck are you comin' home?….or are you already here?
LOL!
Just spent the mornin on the phone getting the insurance so we could close on a house! Course extricating ourselves from the practice will take some time but I'm counting on under 9 months before I start gittin "cranky" about it, lol.
Cannot wait to blow this California east place. Folks are nice but sooooooo PC it's enough to make you wanna throw stuff! I miss home. And the house is across the STREET from TCU's Baseball and new Football Stadiums woooooo hooo! Game central! Bet we're gonna be the most popular guys in our families….. on game days!
9 MONTHS….YIKES!. Oh well, that will give you time to stock up on the appropriate attire.
Go FROGS!! http://shop.gofrogs.com/
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