Reason.tv: Treat Me Like a Dog!: What human health care can learn from pet care
by Nick GillespieWhen it comes to health care, who gets treated better—man or man’s best friend? Of course, it’s hard to make an apples-to-apples comparison when you’re comparing four-legged patients to people, and there are many ways in which human care tops pet care. But pet owners told Reason.tv there are some ways where it would be a step up to be treated like a dog.
Pet owners like the convenience of animal care; they also like the client-focused atmosphere. “I think one of the things that human health care can learn from veterinary medicine is the client service side of things, the relationship side of things,” says Dr. Peter Weinstein, executive director of the Southern California Veterinary Medical Association. Various reasons explain why people often find animal care so pleasant, says Weinstein. One reason—animal care workers love what they do. Another reason—competition.
Weinstein notes that vets work hard to differentiate themselves from their competitors because “there are a large number of vet hospitals, many located very closely to one another.” And vets know even more competitors could emerge because less red tape makes it easier to open an animal hospital. Weinstein recalls opening his clinic, which offered everything from X-rays to operations: “I believe it was 12 weeks from the time I signed the lease to the time I saw my first client. Try doing that with human health care.”
It would take at least 20 times as long to open a comparable human hospital in California. It can take even longer in the 34 states with “certificate of need” (CON) laws, where state agencies—not consumers—decide how many hospitals there should be. These laws even allow existing hospitals to hold up plans for new hospitals. “The existing hospitals go in front of these government agencies and say, ‘we don’t need any competitors; we’re taking fine care of the people,’” explains Reason magazine’s Ronald Bailey. Recently, certificate of need—often called CON law—provoked a showdown in Tennessee where frustrated residents resorted to protests and petition drives to pressure the state to green-light a new hospital.
Weinstein is happy veterinarians don’t have to deal with anti-competitive CON laws, “In veterinary medicine we could have two practices right next to each other and then it’s the consumer deciding to whom they want to go.” Consumer choice and competition—maybe we could use more of that in human health care.
“Treat Me Like a Dog” is written and produced by Ted Balaker, who also hosts. The director of photography is Alex Manning, the field producer is Paul Detrick and the animations were done by Hawk Jensen.
Approximately six minutes. Go to Reason.tv for downloadable versions.
To see Reason.tv’s health care play-list, go here.
To sign up for Reason.tv’s YouTube page, go here.
Email this to a friend | Print |
Share on Facebook
| Tweet this
| 
Follow Us on Twitter
Subscribe via RSS
Got a Tip?
67 Comments
Hospital lobbies have made it difficult to build new hospitals, thereby ensuring they have very little competition. Competition brings quality up and prices down. Doctors who attempt to reduce pricing for their patients are dragged into court by the insurance companies who claim that the doctors are acting as unlicensed insurance companies.
I'm a doctor and my brother is a veterinarian. This is the truth! Take from me, I'd rather have a Vetcare style bill for humans going through congress.
And, if someone mistreats an animal it is taken more seriously than assault on a human.
And as a vet, I can tell you, if your pet needs an X-ray, MRI or surgery right away, they get it. No waiting for insurance approvals, no waiting for the second and third party specialists to evaluate the case before deciding which direction to go in. Diagnostics and therapeutics are almost instantaneous. Now for those of you that support the Obamanations health care plan, if you think there's a difference between vet care and human care now, just wait until the government runs the show. I'll probably be able to make some extra dough using my state of the art equipment on my clients while they are waiting for the govt. administered plan
Plus, pets don't sue and they pay their lawyers in Snausages.
That video made some good sense regarding hospital competition and the government previously trying to reduce the number of hospitals. Another example there of government getting their hands in something and screwing it up. And the One wonders why most of us want him to drop the health care nonsense?
One thing though….if a doctor tried to kiss me on the nose he'd get a big fat SLAP!
http://cheezburger.com/View.aspx?aid=2626475776
http://cheezburger.com/View.aspx?aid=2626475776
Two of my dogs developed back problems within a month of each other. One had emergency surgery, the other one was treated with prednisone and crate rest but ended up needing an MRI to figure out what was going on. He went to Washington State University where he had treatment (surgery) that rivaled any hospital I've been in (I'm a former health care worker) and made a full recovery. Both dogs got physical therapy, involving underwater treadmill, massage, and acupuncture and both dogs are now doing fine. It was expensive (about $12000 all told) but within my means as I always set aside money monthly for my dogs' care. $12000 would hardly get me through the door of the emergency room these days.
The difference? Dogs being treated at both hospitals weren't subsidizing dogs who couldn't pay! The dogs whose owners couldn't pay were most likely euthanized. Just like what will happen to us!
Do our pets get better care than we do with our doctors? Absolutely, for those of us that take the responsibility of pet care seriously. I've had a local vet for over 17 years throughout the lives and deaths of 4 wonderful dogs. We were never rushed through an office visit, all diagnostic tests needed (and cost communicated up front) and results clearly explained as well as the options for care. If they received an emergency case that would back up appointments, the staff would call to see if we could delay or reschedule so we wouldn't be sitting in the office waiting for hours for him to complete an emergency surgery. In some cases, the office visits lasted over an hour, when difficult tests or outcomes needed to be discussed. They stayed late to do needed surgery; always followed up with a phone call; they always CARED about my dear furry friends. When it was time to euthanize, it was never a snap decision based on cost, but quality of life.
You guys are the best.
We should only hope to be treated like animals when it comes to medical research, too. There are more regulations and more requirements for effective treatment and palliative care for animals in research than human subjects of research. We have to provide fluffy bunnies with "appropriate, comfortable, climate controlled" lodging while they are used for research, but we must only provide "necessary associated care at an acceptable level" to humans participating in research.
I agree, and have had similar situations. Over the last 17 years I have spent tens of thousands of dollars on vet care (4 large dogs over the years) and what I do not understand is why it cost about $1800 for an MRI for my dog (that was about my size and weight); how about a triple mastectomy for about $800? I'd much rather trust my healthcare to my vet than any doctor (insurance company controlled) that I've met lately. After many surgical procedures, tests, meds, cancer treatments, etc., the thousands I spent wouldn't even pay for an MRI for me!
Goodness, this is going to elicit everyone's pet stories, so I'm going for it. As the owner of a blind bassett hound (she's my avatar on the side), I had a tough choice to make 2 years ago when she had sudden onset glaucoma. The vets are the best in the world! My sister, a vet, said that blind dogs are not dead dogs when my spouse said we should put her down (she was only 5 years old). My spouse agreed, and we had to pay more than $5K to take care of her treatment for both eyes (tried saving one, so the first was a prosthetic, but when the second eye went, we just had it sewed up. She's lived a very happy and healthy life for the past 2 years. Within 5 months she had the house, upstairs and downstairs mapped out, including the pool outside (she feels the edge in slate and drops her nose and takes a drink every time!)
What this means to this thread, is that sometimes spending the money brings great joy, so even the elderly humans among us will deserve the best, and sometimes expensive, treatment, to enjoy a few more years on this earth with their family, and the family will treasure those years. I have no doubt that I have many, many more years with the blind bassett hound!
Hi Ray! My sister is a vet, and she had to go through more schooling that most of our doctors go through. All the different species, different anatomy, and different treatments, so I salute you for doing what you do. My blind dog (see story below) is a joy to our family and has taught us great lessons, which can easily be brought into this healthcare discussion. No joke, if we got centralized healthcare, I'd very much think about going to my vet for human assistance!
So where do we sign up? Very cute, by the way!
Good for your pup! I have rescued several older gold retreivers with special needs, and they were truly special. I don't want to be a downer on the posts here, but I have thought about this for a long time. We do treat our pets better than humans when it comes to ability to providing care and the ability to peacefully ending it if they are suffering and there is no possibilty for them to not suffer. I just hope my friends will help me if/when I get in that situation! Everyone deserves the best treatment, agreed. A disability does not equate to end of life decisions….. you simply make adjustments.
“I believe it was 12 weeks from the time I signed the lease to the time I saw my first client. Try doing that with human health care.”
All you need to know……………………………………
But I don't expect anyone else to pay for it. And just like human charities, if an animal needs a new home, there are many people out there who try to save the animals and give them a new home (translated to help without govt assistance for humans). I'm sad that so many animals are euthanized because of overbreeding, but that's a different issue. My point is that people really do step up to help other humans when in need without the govt intervention.
I have two dogs, and you can see the genuine caring and love
when we take them to the vet….The vet even remembers their
names and hugs them..It's very heartwarming, and my hats' off
to the Vets…They do a great job….I'm wondering if we should have
to pay the smaller costs for our human care instead of letting the
insurance companies pay for every little thing…Why can't we pay
for an office visit or most things under 200$ out of pocket rather
then go through insurance companies…I just threw the 200
number out there…It could be more or less, or what you can
afford…That makes sense to me….That's how we pay for our
pups when we take them to the vet…
Your little dog is lucky she had you and not someone that didn't love
their pet like you…..When we got our Scottie, about a month after he
was with us, I noticed a growth on his snout, not his nose, but the
bony part, after looking at it every day for almost a week, I told my
husband to bring him to the Vet, it looked like it was getting a little
bigger every day…..He did have a cancerous growth, and the Vet
removed it on the spot, gave him a couple of stitches, and sent him
home….She only charged 68 dollars….I was shocked…and then we
brought him back to get his stitches removed a week later, and that
was 20….He was worth way more to us….Now 3 years later, he's
healthy, happy, and spoiled rotten…..lol
As soon as Spot or Fluffy gets 'lawyered up' then you will watch this great system get screwed over.
You are so right! I agree with all of your points. I can only hope when I get to the point that I lose all quality of life and are in pain that will not go away, I'm hoping someone will treat me with as much dignity as I've had to do with my older dogs, when they were clearly suffering, knowing they would not get better. I don't want it to be the government's or an insurance company decision, I want to be able to make my own.
I agree with all you say….Just wanted to tell you we had a little blind
Westie, and you would never know it unless you were told….She did
everything she did before she went blind….She was older, so she
probrably knew the house and yard better than we did…Her blindness
did not diminish her!!…..Your little gal sound terriffic too…….
we all agree when it comes to pets, because there is no govt intervention, the pont of the posting here. I would give my last dollar to feed my pets (or children) before myself. Or better yet, I would go work hard, and earn enough money to pay for a pet (or child's) treatment. I don't expect the govt to pay for either, as it is my duty to take care of and pay for, any dependents of mine, including pets.
Sorry, misspelled the word "point" in the first sentence.
“In veterinary medicine we could have two practices right next to each other and then it’s the consumer deciding to whom they want to go.” Consumer choice and competition—maybe we could use more of that in human health care.'
Nothing else need be said…
Agreed entirely. I have more alliagence to my vet than my doctor.
LOL. mine are "treated" with puperonies.
The moment I pull out the leash from the garage and take it in the house, the blind bassett is there, panting, and jumping. When I put the leash on and we go outside, she is leading me all the way. Quite amazing. I am always in total disbelief at her courage at her when we go for walks, she jumps right on ahead. I think that she knows when the leash is on, I will make sure she is ok, so she just goes for it.
I just have to make sure she does not run into a parked car's tires.
I know people who moan and whine about how they can't afford health insurance and how the government should provide health care for all Americans – and these same people do not hesitate to take their pets to the vet at the drop of a hat. They often speak of expensive vet bills – but they pay them. So it's fine to spend your money to keep a 10-year-old dog alive, but you want to spend MY money to keep yourself alive. Nothing against dogs, but what is wrong with this picture?
May I add, "…consumer choice and competition – and the services are paid for at the time they are rendered – NOT paid by a third party, and certainly not by the government!"
I hope you're not referring to me! I've been paying my COBRA and CALCobra payments faithfully since 2007 – $1345 a month for the first 18 months to keep my college age niece and nephew on my plan and then $1034 a month until hubby turned 65 last April – I'm now down to $534 for myself – hubby is paying MediCare and Senior Advantage until my benefits kick in from 40 years of employment with Kaiser. I retired early due to injuries to my hands (I was an echo tech) and was facing yet another thumb reconstruction. I opted to retire instead, even though I wouldn't get paid medical benefits until age 65.
I have been frugal all my life – I always saved and always had a cushion. When I added to my dog herd, I knew that my expenses would go up so I saved money every month for that. Well, I wiped out that account with the two surgeries, but we're doing fine now and the dogs are happy and so am I. They were my herding companions and we've had many an adventure together. There is a limit to what I'll spend on my dogs. I wouldn't have opted for their treatment had they not had a good chance at a healthy life after. And one of my other dogs I would have probably put down had it happened to her because she doesn't have the temperament to put up with the post-op care and the rehab.
We pet owners aren't stupid. I really hope you weren't talking about us who were posting on this thread.
My dog. I recently, yesterday, took my 7 yr. old boxer in for an examination of a troubling tooth and even more troubling lumps on his hindquarters. Consulted with my local vet and he suggested that we remove the tooth, infected, and remove the lumps for testing. The consultation was at 7:30 a.m. yesterday morning, I picked up my dog at 4:30 yesterday afternoon. Total out of pocket, $248.00. I was told there was a problem and he acted on it. Made the appointment two days before going in. No pet insurance, paid vet directly. __Me. I do have what would be considered a "cadillac plan". I live in a small town in Ohio and have 6 doctors county wide, that's after one doctor, my doctor left to teach medicine elsewhere. 4 animal hospitals within 5 miles, countless others countywide. Currently no other doctors have been taking new patients and I now to drive an hour and a half to see my new doctor. ____I guess my question would be- If doctors can refuse new patients that have insurance how will insuring everyone help their healthcare? ____Pay doctors directly and I have a suspicion that prices will drop greatly and your health(care) will rise greatly.
[...] View post: » Reason.tv: Treat Me Like a Dog!: What human health care can … [...]
It's easier to get into Medical school than it is vetenary school.
There is a problem with the Big Government Home Page. Firefox thinks it is an application and asks me what tool I want to use to open it.
Imagine that…a government rule that backfired and raised rather than lowered health care costs. Why, this can't be….
Reason.tv: Treat Me Like a Dog!: What human health care can learn from pet care by Nick Gillespie: If only it was just about destroying our health care! It's all about destroying our economy and we haven't seen anything yet! He is doing far more damage to our economy than the Twin-Tower Bombers ever came close to equalizing! Just think of this: We are supposedly at war with Islam, who is from the line of Jacob's half-brother, Esaw, and they have been at war with us for ions and what do our voters do? They vote in as President, an Islam trained and educated Kenyan! The Prava is correct and furthermore, thanks to our immigration political workings, we are the biggest educated politically correct idiots in the world! This is only the beginning of Jacob's problems believe me! The only answer left to our societies survival is to repent and believe the gospel, not Lucifer through his tool Marxism! Yes, the dogs really are better off than we are! If we can't pull together ti's over! The only answer is found here: info@icyahweh.org
Society can provide medical treatment to people who cannot afford it by direct government payment. Why hide these cost in the healthcare bills of people who can afford it? Only if people know how much their treatment cost and how much their generosity towards other is costing, can they decide if their preferences are being met, and what types of reform they would prefer.
My dog had a visit recently, exam, shots, and I picked up some meds for his ear too. It was less than $140 all told. It was a pleasant surprise. Imagine what would happen if we did away with insurance for regular (non-catastrophic) care….
As some have already mentioned…. Insurance (Human type) should cover extended care, emergencies, hositpal visits, etc… The regular doctor visits can be paid out of pocket. This will lower Doctor's costs, increase preventative care, reduce monthly premiums and improve the system entirely! Of course allowing real competition will improve the system as well. these two things alone are what we need for health care reform.
The problem with Insurance covering regular doctor visits is all the extra red tape and higher monthly premiums. We pay higher monthly premiums to cover doc visits, which if you don't go to the doctor often, are a waste of money. Docs apens a lot of time fighting with insurance co's to get paid. This time saving of not having to deal with red tape equates to $$$ saving for all.
With Cas Sunstein in the Whitehouse, we may not have Veterinary Medicine to hold up as an example much longer. May I remind you that he is the one who insists that animals should be granted legal standing in our courts. Can you imagine waiting a couple of weeks to go thru the appeals process before Spot gets Neutered?
The other thing is when I go to see the Vet, I am the advocate for my pet. When I go to see the doctor I often feel that they don't want to listen to me. If I was actually paying the bill I bet they would listen. I had some elective surgery done and I was paying cash for it. I was treated like a king, and I was able to negotiate based on other doctors fees. I have done this with my dog too.
My sister is a vet and she built a hospital, and the only special premit that she need to get was for a cancer treatment machine using radioactive material. That was it and it was built in a year. The parking garage at my local hospital has been going on for almost two years, and it was at least two years just to get permission to do it. Also at my sisters hospital you pay in cash, or you can get financed.
I cannot believe I've never heard of these CON laws in any debate, article or discussion of health cares' rising costs. All the while I've considered myself relatively informed – how foolish! – but then again I guess that is the point of a good CON.
Libs are against dog abortion but for human abortion
I think the difference here is people will complain about paying their own medical bills ,they complain about how they can not afford it,but yet these same people will spend thousands on their pets and pay cash or put it on their credit cards, with no thoughts or complaints about it.
We need to go back to the way it was before ins,when people actually paid cash for their office visits and only had ins for major medical,once the government got involved and started the HMO's it started going down hill.
[...] more from the original source: » Reason.tv: Treat Me Like a Dog!: What human health care can … tags: actually-paid, coverage-at-very, focus-on-six, form, government, insurance, [...]
Well it's sad to see not many people caring much about our 4 legged friend.
Well there was anything like dog care insurance then it would have been nice too
Lots of Fantastic information in your posting, I bookmarked your blog so I can visit again in the future, All the Best
Well, I think both are deserving to be treated with high level of care. Although I think humans deserve more.
***[] » Reason.tv: Treat Me Like a Dog!: What human health care can learn from pet care – Big Government – http://biggovernment.com/ngillespie/2010/02/25/reason-tv-treat-me-like-a-dog-what-human-health-care-can-learn-from-pet-care -
Teach Your Teen How To Start A Business At Home With Our Standards-based 45 Lesson Course! Includes Worksheets, Email Support And A Huge Resource Center With Hundreds Of Free Homeschool Links, Tutorials, Videos And Audios. No Prev Biz Knowledge Needed! -http://bit.ly/bRL6EZ []***
Purchase mp3 music online…
I will bookmark your blog and have my kids check up here frequently. I’m very certain they will understand lots of new stuff here than anybody else….
Buy Soft Toys & Childrens Toy online now!…
I thought it was going to be some boring old post, but it really compensated for my time. I will post a link to this page on my blog. I am sure my visitors will find that very useful. . . ….
Best Life Insurance Quotes, Rates & Policy…
I am really satisfied with this posting that you have given us. This is really a stupendous work done by you. Thank you and looking for more posts…
Healthy diet plan…
Really appreciate you sharing this blog post.Really thank you! Really Cool….
Healthy diet plan…
This is a really fine publish. Appreciation pro sharing…
Great Photography Tutorials…
very well information you write it very clean. I’m very lucky to get this information from you….
Online Fitness Program and Weight Loss Exercise Plan…
I obtain your weblog by bing. This is the pleasant online site and picture. I will often visit….
Hi…
I saw this really great post today….
Intriguing post. I have been searching for some good resources for solar panels and discovered your blog. Planning to bookmark this one!…
I REALLY liked your post and blog! It took me a minute bit to find your site…but I bookmarked it. Would you mind if I posted a link back to your post?…
Cool sites…
[...]we came across a cool site that you might enjoy. Take a look if you want[...]……
Great website…
[...]we like to honor many other internet sites on the web, even if they aren’t linked to us, by linking to them. Under are some webpages worth checking out[...]………
There are thousands of blogs that requires comments on them. What is the intention of blog comments?…
There are thousands of blogs that requires comments on them. What is the intention of blog comments?….
Potato And Leek Soup Extraordinary job, Your line is an example of why I livelihood arrival endorse to scan your excellent level statement…
Extraordinary job, Your line is an example of why I livelihood arrival endorse to scan your excellent level statement…
Minecraft Texture Packs Thanks for distribution this online. I sure idolised every bit of it….
Thanks for distribution this online. I sure idolised every bit of it….
You must be logged in to post a comment.