Single-Payer Nightmare

[Trumpster]

Single-Payer Nightmare: Britain's NHS Proposes Suspending Surgeries for Smokers and Obese Patients

Bypass surgery and stints are very expensive and there are tens of thousands of such procedures done every year in the U.S. And yet coronary artery disease is totally reversible through diet, exercise and stress control. But cardiologists don't even tell their patients that that option exists. If we don't do something about the rising national health care bill, there will eventually be a much bigger demand for single-payer.

[Abby08]

Bypass surgery and stints are very expensive and there are tens of thousands of such procedures done every year in the U.S. And yet coronary artery disease is totally reversible through diet, exercise and stress control. But cardiologists don't even tell their patients that that option exists. If we don't do something about the rising national health care bill, there will eventually be a much bigger demand for single-payer. [/SIZE][/B]

Why should a cardiologist have to tell patients that? Should be something that's just common sense knowledge.

[Common]

Agree, those who choose unhealthy lifestyles should either not be insured or have to pay higher premiums.

That is single payer they already pay for it with taxs

[Ethereal]

Single-payer might be an okay idea on a limited scale, like a small state or a big city. But for a federation of fifty states with 320 million people? It would be an absolute disaster.

[Peter1469]

I'm not for single-payer but I agree that people who put themselves at higher risk should pay higher premiums. Or, to look at it another way, perhaps give discounts to those who are healthy because they maintain healthy lifestyles.

However, with 2/3 of the population being overweight, and so many people living unhealthy lifestyles, how would congress be able to pass such a healthcare bill?

It may work that way with private insurance but I don't think it works that way with those who get their insurance through their employer or Medicare. Medicare could be saved from going broke.

I agree in general. I do have a problem with the way the system measures obesity. The BMI scale works for couch potatoes, but not for people who exercise. My BMI is 26. But my body fat is 15%. So I would get screwed under these sorts of plans.

[Peter1469]

Bypass surgery and stints are very expensive and there are tens of thousands of such procedures done every year in the U.S. And yet coronary artery disease is totally reversible through diet, exercise and stress control. But cardiologists don't even tell their patients that that option exists. If we don't do something about the rising national health care bill, there will eventually be a much bigger demand for single-payer. [/SIZE][/B]

A related story: a colleague of mine wanted the gastric by-pass surgery to help control his weight. He showed me the doctor's instructions for post surgery. I read them. I told him that if he just followed this he wouldn't need the surgery.

[Perianne]

Bypass surgery and stints are very expensive and there are tens of thousands of such procedures done every year in the U.S. And yet coronary artery disease is totally reversible through diet, exercise and stress control. But cardiologists don't even tell their patients that that option exists. If we don't do something about the rising national health care bill, there will eventually be a much bigger demand for single-payer. [/SIZE][/B]

I am not sure coronary artery disease is totally reversible, or even reversible a little bit. The progression of the disease can be slowed with diet and exercise, but not reversed. Or that is what I have learned. Maybe there is new research I don't know about?

[Peter1469]

I am not sure coronary artery disease is totally reversible, or even reversible a little bit. The progression of the disease can be slowed with diet and exercise, but not reversed. Or that is what I have learned. Maybe there is new research I don't know about?

It depends on how soon you catch it and change your lifestyle.

[Adelaide]

Single-payer might be an okay idea on a limited scale, like a small state or a big city. But for a federation of fifty states with 320 million people? It would be an absolute disaster.

Most people who are reasonable but want a single-payer system seem to accept that it has to be done at a state or regional level for larger states. It also eliminates the Federal government from overstepping if each state determines for themselves what they wish to do with healthcare.

[Adelaide]

I'm not for single-payer but I agree that people who put themselves at higher risk should pay higher premiums. Or, to look at it another way, perhaps give discounts to those who are healthy because they maintain healthy lifestyles.

However, with 2/3 of the population being overweight, and so many people living unhealthy lifestyles, how would congress be able to pass such a healthcare bill?

It may work that way with private insurance but I don't think it works that way with those who get their insurance through their employer or Medicare. Medicare could be saved from going broke.

I used Ontario's health insurance program as an example because the government can change the premiums very easily. If 2/3 of the population is unhealthy, then premiums are raised and they need to be raised, on that group. It means more personal responsibility without impacting those who are healthy and pay a premium that reflects that. Discounts wouldn't help cover the cost of anything.

In terms of the US system, I think private insurers already do this to some degree and it is basically impossible for Medicare and Medicaid.