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Politics : PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: goldworldnet who wrote (720656)	1/4/2006 8:13:06 PM
From: DuckTapeSunroof	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 769670

That can certainly be a useful part of a solution... but with most studies putting the costs increase (from tort cases) at WELL below 10% of total system costs, I think you are going to have to get a lot more comprehensive in your solution.... I would suggest: 1) Reform of the US patent system (let companies keep the extra-long patents for any 'cures' they come up with, but SHORTEN patent life for mere 'treatments', i.e., drugs that must be taken to 'manage' a condition, but that don't produce a 'cure' of the condition. This will allow generics in sooner and DRASTICALLY LOWER medical costs, but vaccines & such will be more profitable for the companies then 'life-style drugs'. 2) Insurance reforms: with some 30% or so of their costs connected to paperwork and the multiplicity of different forms required, including required by the government, DRASTICALLY simplify the paperwork cost overheads, and roll out new cost-saving technologies. 3) Doctors, pharmacies, etc., reform: MANDATE bar coding on all products (greatly lowering accidents in prescribing, malpractice suits, etc.), and work with the medical licensing boards to make it EASIER to flag the 5% or so of 'bad' physicians who are responsible for 50% of the accident and malpractice claims... ALSO greatly lowering costs AND improving healthcare. 4) finally... do not bar organizations who want to negotiate for lower costs.... I'm sure there are plenty of other good ideas... but it is a BIG PROBLEM.

To: goldworldnet who wrote (720656)	1/5/2006 6:27:34 AM
From: JDN	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 769670

I agree. Studies often show Attorneys fees are not that big a problem but those studies FAIL to take into account the defensive medicine practiced EVERYWHERE in EVERYWAY vastly driving up costs. I remember a few years ago I had a growth removed and the dermatologist said to me, I ASSURE YOU this is not cancerous BUT we are required to send all such growths to a Lab to test for cancer. I bet that lab test cost more then the 1 minute removal process. jdn