Re: OT: capitation (was Re: Occupancy and Security PIR - Suggestions?)

["E. Hill" <anybody@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

> I can see why.  When the doctor has a choice on whether or not to do
> diagnostic tests, under the capitation system he will most likely opt
> for 'not'.

You'd like to think that never happens, but I would tend to guess it does.

> Pretty much.  I had no clue what capitation was.  I always thought my
> insurance paid for line-item stuff.

Oh, it gets worse in many regards. One day I'll try to write an op-ed for
our local newspaper. Putting it all down on paper so that the average person
wouldn't get lost after the first paragraph... That would be tough.

Not that you wouldn't get it... You would. It just would be very time
consuming to write it all down and edit it.

> I do, not to extent that you do though.  I know some victims.

Me, too. Not personally. But, working in the industry, I hear about them
from time to time.

> I think the current system should remain in place, but I have issue
> with some things.  Insurance premiums are so high because it
> subsidizes hospital's costs for 'free' work.   Massachusetts recently
> made good legislation concerning heath insurance, I'm sure you're
> aware of it.

That is absouletry true! And, that brings us to illegal immigration (in many
states), and the welfare mentality (which applies everywhere).

Another reason premiums are high is because medicine is bad business. Case
in point...

Couple years ago, one of my friends gets a heart valve replacement. He moves
from job to job, and I know there's no way he has money to pay for that. He
doesn't have insurance. I asked him, "Who paid for that?" He thinks for a
moment, and says, "I guess you did."

I'm not advocating my friend die. The discussion hits a little closer to
home when it's *your* friend or family. But, the reality is, years ago,
heart valve replacement was not main stream, and it would not have been
performed on an "indigent" case. He would have died.

My point is... Techology marches on, but we (as a whole) don't have the
money to pay for the technology. But, because doctors and society (as a
whole), do have compassion... My friend lives, on our dime.

> Emergency rooms should only handle EMERGENCYS..  I sat for four hours
> one time with a dislocated shoulder in the ER in agony - as I watched
> one nappy-head-ho after another go before me because they were
> probably drug-seeking or their 16th kid had a fucking sniffle.  The ER
> is NOT the fucking clinic.

Bingo. There needs to be a good incentive for people to have a primary care
doctor, and a good disincentive if you visit the ER without a real
emeregecy.

Eric