Starting about 8 months too late, but here’s some random notes on the Healthcare wars…
Above videos were produced by i2i.org & the Frasier Institute.
Here’s one from Reason:
Relevant Facilities:
In 2003, Timely Medical Alternatives Inc. was formed to help Canadians, on long medical waiting lists, to take personal responsibility for their own medical care and “Leave the queue”.
Typical Wait Times (after initial visit to a G.P.)
1. Wait to see a specialist for initial consultation
* Public: 6 – 12 months
* Private: 10 days
2. Wait for diagnostic imaging (excluding X-Rays) after seeing surgeon
* Public: 4 – 8 months
* Private: 24 hours
3. Wait for a biopsy (if necessary)
* Public: 2 months
* Private: 4 days
4. Wait for pathological analysis of tissue
* Public: 14 days
* Private: 1 – 3 days
5. Wait for follow-up visit to surgeon to discuss results of diagnostics
* Public: 1 – 3 months
* Private: 7 days
6. Wait for a surgical/hospital date to be set
* Public: 6 – 18 months
* Private: 1 day
7. Wait for surgery after date is set
* Public: 6 – 10 months
* Private: 7 days
In The UK
Telegraph: Want to fix the NHS? Go private, When a hospital fails in the way that the Basildon and Thurrock Trust has, it should be turned over immediately to a private-sector hit squad to sort it out, writes Simon Heffer. Simon Heffer, 27 Nov 2009
DailyMail: The babies born in hospital corridors: Bed shortage forces 4,000 mothers to give birth in lifts, offices and hospital toilets
Note to self: looks to be about .56% of yearly births. Would love to see how that compares to the US>
Instapundit, CBO on Healthcare:
CHANGE YOU CAN BELIEVE IN? CBO: Republican health plan would reduce premiums, cut deficit.
HEH: CBO Health-Care Score Assumes Congress Sticks to Its Promises, Which Probably Won’t Happen, Says CBO. Well, there’s a confidence-builder.
CBO: Senate healthcare bill estimated to cost $829 billion over 10 years.
Other stuff
LATIMES: “Tough love for fat people: Tax their food to pay for healthcare” -July 27, 2009
Food Inc and Grist make similar arguments….
Sources:
The babies born in hospital corridors: Bed shortage forces 4,000 mothers to give birth in lifts, offices and hospital toilets, By Jenny Hope and Nick Mcdermott, Last updated at 8:36 AM on 26th August 2009