Site search
sponsored by
Home
News
Linn and Ari Armstrong’s Jan. 21 column illustrates their cold view of the world as they suggest solutions to our health care problems. At least they are being honest. Unfortunately, many of our leaders share the Armstrong’s views, but they hide behind lengthy political definitions and descriptions of the problem. Not Linn and Ari — they come right out and tell us.
So what is their solution? Free market.
Towards the end of their diatribe, the Armstrongs explain how free market principles should apply in the world of health care. More specifically, they would end the law that requires hospitals to treat people that show up at the emergency room but do not have the funds to receive the care. Yes — they actually write this!
OK — I admit it — this idea will save the system billions of dollars and your health insurance premiums will decrease. The rapid inflation rates of medical care will slow down for a few years and it will ease the pressure on taxpayers who help finance about 50 percent of our existing health system. Yes indeed, the free market can achieve those objectives.
So what is the problem? Well — let’s call a spade a spade.
It’s heartless. It’s without compassion. It’s cold. And it lacks the family values that so many Americans yearn to foster.
But again, I thank them for their honesty. By so clearly stating what many politicians only hint at, the Armstrongs are providing a very teachable moment in the health care reform debate.
The free market works great to foster economic growth. It fosters innovation and invention. It has fueled the economic engine that contributes to the strength of this great country. But in medicine, the free market fails us. It fails because it lacks compassion. Indeed, compassion and the practice of medicine go hand and hand.
Imagine our “Free Market Emergency Room and Hospital.” Yes — imagine that the last place that uninsured Americans can go suddenly checks them at the door. No money — no service. Linn and Ari’s view of our health care system turns a cold shoulder not only to those in poverty, but also to the middle class. The emergency room is expensive. No, check that, it’s real expensive. So when our budding health policy experts suggest we impose their free market principles on health care, here’s some of what you get:
To the father of four who loses his job and subsequently arrives at the ER door with severe chest pain from a heart attack: Sorry — no money — no service. Chalk up the savings to the system!
To the uninsured mother of an infant born 14 weeks premature facing a half-million dollar hospital stay for her child in the neonatal intensive care unit: No funds — this young life doesn’t qualify for free-market America.
To the young child with an asthma attack who shows up at the emergency room in respiratory distress: Not so fast — we’re trying to run a free-market health care system here.
You get the idea. (These examples assume a level of compassion in our doctors rivaled only by the Armstrongs.)
So to the Armstrongs — thank you. Thank you for your honesty. Thank you for so clearly defining how free-market principles can help lead us out of our financial problems related to health care.
If you prefer a more enlightened view of health care reform, pay close attention to the upcoming report from Colorado’s 208 Commission at the end of this month. Find out how this bipartisan commission addresses the health care reform debate in a practical and reasonable matter. Find out how a universal approach to health care can improve the quality and sustainability of our health care system.
Moreover, the 208 Commission, the Colorado Medical Society and Club 20 all offer reasonable approaches or guidelines to health care reform. And for good measure, they toss in a bit of compassion.
After all, compassion and medicine are two peas in a pod.
<i>Dr. Michael J. Pramenko is a Family Physician at Primary Care Partners. A graduate of Dartmouth Medical School, he did his residency training in Grand Junction at St. Mary’s Family Practice Residency. As immediate past President of the Mesa County Medical Society, Dr. Pramenko currently serves on the Colorado Medical Society’s Congress for Health Care Reform as well as Club 20’s Health Care Committee.</i>
So what is their solution? Free market.
Towards the end of their diatribe, the Armstrongs explain how free market principles should apply in the world of health care. More specifically, they would end the law that requires hospitals to treat people that show up at the emergency room but do not have the funds to receive the care. Yes — they actually write this!
OK — I admit it — this idea will save the system billions of dollars and your health insurance premiums will decrease. The rapid inflation rates of medical care will slow down for a few years and it will ease the pressure on taxpayers who help finance about 50 percent of our existing health system. Yes indeed, the free market can achieve those objectives.
So what is the problem? Well — let’s call a spade a spade.
It’s heartless. It’s without compassion. It’s cold. And it lacks the family values that so many Americans yearn to foster.
But again, I thank them for their honesty. By so clearly stating what many politicians only hint at, the Armstrongs are providing a very teachable moment in the health care reform debate.
The free market works great to foster economic growth. It fosters innovation and invention. It has fueled the economic engine that contributes to the strength of this great country. But in medicine, the free market fails us. It fails because it lacks compassion. Indeed, compassion and the practice of medicine go hand and hand.
Imagine our “Free Market Emergency Room and Hospital.” Yes — imagine that the last place that uninsured Americans can go suddenly checks them at the door. No money — no service. Linn and Ari’s view of our health care system turns a cold shoulder not only to those in poverty, but also to the middle class. The emergency room is expensive. No, check that, it’s real expensive. So when our budding health policy experts suggest we impose their free market principles on health care, here’s some of what you get:
To the father of four who loses his job and subsequently arrives at the ER door with severe chest pain from a heart attack: Sorry — no money — no service. Chalk up the savings to the system!
To the uninsured mother of an infant born 14 weeks premature facing a half-million dollar hospital stay for her child in the neonatal intensive care unit: No funds — this young life doesn’t qualify for free-market America.
To the young child with an asthma attack who shows up at the emergency room in respiratory distress: Not so fast — we’re trying to run a free-market health care system here.
You get the idea. (These examples assume a level of compassion in our doctors rivaled only by the Armstrongs.)
So to the Armstrongs — thank you. Thank you for your honesty. Thank you for so clearly defining how free-market principles can help lead us out of our financial problems related to health care.
If you prefer a more enlightened view of health care reform, pay close attention to the upcoming report from Colorado’s 208 Commission at the end of this month. Find out how this bipartisan commission addresses the health care reform debate in a practical and reasonable matter. Find out how a universal approach to health care can improve the quality and sustainability of our health care system.
Moreover, the 208 Commission, the Colorado Medical Society and Club 20 all offer reasonable approaches or guidelines to health care reform. And for good measure, they toss in a bit of compassion.
After all, compassion and medicine are two peas in a pod.
<i>Dr. Michael J. Pramenko is a Family Physician at Primary Care Partners. A graduate of Dartmouth Medical School, he did his residency training in Grand Junction at St. Mary’s Family Practice Residency. As immediate past President of the Mesa County Medical Society, Dr. Pramenko currently serves on the Colorado Medical Society’s Congress for Health Care Reform as well as Club 20’s Health Care Committee.</i>
