Text 6055, 53 rader
Skriven 2010-03-23 10:01:38 av Robert Bashe (2:2448/44)
   Kommentar till text 6037 av Bob Ackley (1:300/3)
Ärende: Healthcare
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Bob Ackley wrote to Ward Dossche on Monday March 22 2010 at 16:33:

BA> In this country development of new medical technologies and equipment
BA> will slow or stop, development of new pharmaceuticals will slow or
BA> stop and within five years there will be a *real* health care crunch
BA> in this country.

You know, the thing that fascinates me is that many revolutionary
pharmaceuticals were developed in countries with universal health care systems
and _not_ in the USA.

Ever heard of "Valium"? Developed in Switzerland, not in the USA - although the
biggest market is there, doubtless because of the artificial anxiety caused by
doomsday prophecies such as those you espouse.

BA> Hospitals and clinics will downsize or close completely, and many
BA> industry professionals will find other career fields, retire or
BA> relocate out of the country.

To other countries with universal health care plans? Or are you referring to
"true-blue" American doctors relocating to Gaza, the West Bank, Somalia or
Afghanistan to avoid an American health care system?

BA> Enrollment of US citizens in US medical (and nursing, and medical
BA> technology) schools will decrease.

Since when have US citizens been in a majority in the US medical field? Most of
the doctors I dealt with when my parents were in such bad shape were from
Syria, Taiwan, Venezuela and other such places. Not many "true-blue" Americans
left there - not enough money. Real Americans go into Wall Street, where you
can get millions without having to work so hard for it.

BA> In some areas of the country health care will not be available at any
BA> price.

The first part of the sentence is the only thing up to now that has some
justification. But it's justified in any country, not only those with universal
health care. Not many doctors went to locate in a rural area where they have to
drive a lot, be away from home a lot and have few patients spread out over a
large area. But that has nothing to do with the medical system, just with human
nature.

As for the latter part of the sentence "at any price" - straight polemics. Pay
enough and you can have anything you want - except health. That you can't buy
at any price, and that applies everywhere, in every society. But health _care_?
No problem.

Get off the soapbox, Bob. Who knows, you might even benefit in the long run.

Cheers, Bob

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