Finance Solution

Archive for September, 2010

Over the last two years, there has been much heat generated over “health care”. In broad terms, the political parties have squared off, looking to score points on whether the law will produce a more fair distribution of benefits or the type of death camps associated with communist states. This rather misses the point. All the average person really wants is access to care of reasonable standard at a price that can be afforded. In fact, we already know how to achieve this result. There is clear evidence both in the US and the majority of other countries around the world that if the primary care service is working well, it improves health and lowers costs. Why is this? Well, it comes down to two factors. First, a local doctor can get to know you and build up a picture of your lifestyle and health issues over time. If you go into an Emergency Room, you see a doctor for just that one incident. It’s the difference between taking a single photograph and a video recording. This leads to a key advantage. Once your primary care doctor “knows” you, it is easier to spot changes in you. In general practice, more people are diagnosed early for heart disease, cancer and other serious diseases and disorders. Similarly, more people go through preventative treatments and are counseled on lifestyle changes. Hospitals do not have the time, or the inclination, to talk about alcohol and tobacco, diet and exercise. Read More

It is easy to take sides and even grow angry when the question of healthcare benefits is raised. We all have an opinion depending on our jobs, how much we have paid into various plans, and whether we have received quality care in times of need. We all start judging the system by how much it costs us but, the moment our own health fails or one of our family is at risk, the focus immediately shifts to the standard of actual care available. Indeed, as we age and feel ourselves slipping down the slope into the health “danger zone”, we all worry about what will happen should some serious disease strike. Looking around the US right now, we see the majority of states dealing with record deficits. Indeed, the situation is likely to get far worse before it gets better as there is no will to raise taxes while we Read More