Is this the Beginning of the New Healthcare Reform?

As the immediate past president of the Broward County Medical Association, I have been asked on many occasions about the current state of Healthcare Reform in the United States – after all – healthcare has been my life’s mission and it’s currently in strong debate – not only in Congress – but in homes, offices and, of course, hospitals. It is the one aspect of Congressional legislation that touches all of us in a most personal way – our state of health. You know the old statement, “If you haven’t got your health – you’ve got nothing!” So, many folks have serious and legitimate questions and concerns: Do physicians want coverage for all people? Do I want coverage for pre-existing conditions? How will government-run health programs affect the cost and quality of healthcare? Basically, what people are saying to me: “Will I be all right? Can I stay healthy?”

What I have always said and will continue to say to some of these concerns is, “Of course I want coverage for as many people as possible. Of course I want to improve healthcare systems in the United States. O f course I want all my patients to be all right and to stay on the road to good health.” So my question has never been do I want to improve healthcare – because as a physician I always want improvement – that’s at the basic core of modern medicine. My main concern is one of cost – that is – how can the country afford the proposed plans and who will pay for it? If we understand the answer to those questions … then we can address the big question: What kind of coverage will we have?

This past week I saw, perhaps, an inkling of where government-run healthcare might go – that is – a report indicating that female patients under 50 need not have mammograms. That report, supported by the current administration gave me reason to be concerned. After all, in my many years of medical practice, how many patients have I seen less than 50 years of age with breast cancer? Trust me, I have seen many. Even some of my co-workers have had breast cancer and some have even died. Not only as a doctor, but as a patient I am very concerned – and this is personal.

Before I finished writing this article, PAP smears, a front-line tool against cancer, were also being mentioned by proposed regulation that would change advisory to every two years after the age of 21 and every 3 years after the age of 30. This is, in my opinion, dangerous for patients—as early detection is the best way to locate, treat and beat cancer.

We’ve all heard the argument that Canadians, Britons, Italians, Icelandians, Swedes, Scandinavians and thousands of other people seeking help from countries that practice socialized or government-run healthcare programs come to the United States for medical care. These folks pay—in some cases—more than 50% of their gross income in taxes –and should they need special tests or procedures – their own counties have to first approve the test and procedures—and then place them on “waiting lists.” All of that takes much time … and some patients don’t have exactly that – time. In some cases the waiting period proves fatal. Furthermore, some of these countries prohibit certain procedures and drugs that are currently employed or used in the US. That’s why we have the highest rate of survival in the world for cancer, diabetes, heart and circulatory problems and many other ailments. I don’t believe Americans will accept (certainly not the doctors) anything less than the current standards of success – and to grow it from here!

With the proposed changes being discussed in the Healthcare Reform debate I’m concerned that we might not be saving any money – for the government or the patient. In fact, if we’re forced to wait to test – or wait to use a drug – or wait to perform a procedure – we might actually be treating more advanced diseases at a higher cost or worse – face incurable stages of disease.

This new Medicare commission, to reduce cost, is leading to rationing care across the board, which is wrong. If any rationing is to come it should be individualized doctor-to-patient relationships … not universal – since each case or situation is different.

There are a number of elements not getting the attention they deserve in the healthcare discussion: Is there a reason why so little is said about legal or tort reform? That kind of legislation could save billions of dollars – as it is already doing in California and Texas. Also, what about allowing “open enrollment” for health insurance across state lines? This could save billions of dollars in individual premiums. This is also not included in either bill being proposed.

Is this what we want for the future of medicine? Is this what Healthcare Reform will bring about? It has been proven that government-run socialized medicine simply doesn’t work – it’s expensive, it’s time consuming, it’s impersonal, it’s inefficient and most all of – it’s dangerous – for all of us.

My fellow physicians, patients, and citizens, the future of medical care is in danger. UNITE! Get involved. The life you save might just be your own!