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Politics : Ask Michael Burke -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Pogeu Mahone who wrote (110444)	1/8/2008 4:34:36 PM
From: Freedom Fighter	Respond to of 132070

zeus, The fact that very few people get diagnosed or treated for sleep apnea has nothing to do with whether or not a specific person should be given a 3K test for a sleep disorder. It depends on their risk factors, symptoms, health profile etc... We live in a world of limited resources. I realize that's a concept that's beyond the grasp of most idealistic liberals. But in the real world we have to make value judgements, do a cost benefit analysis etc... so we use those limited resources in the most effective, efficient way, and help the greatest number of people. The more likely it is that a person has sleep apnea or another sleep disorder, the greater the benefit of taking the test because you might get a positive result and be able to treat it. Otherwise, there is a large probability you are wasting money that could be better used elsewhere. When 3rd party payers of any type get involved, the process gets short circuited because many people will err on the side of getting more tests, going to another doctor, adding expenses etc... and wasting money that could best be used elsewhere. They do that because they don't have to pay. That's very rational and prudent behavior on their part. In a make believe world where resources were unlimited it would be great. Unfortunately, this is the real world. Now it could be that more people would actually benefit if they took that sleep test, but the money has to come from somewhere else where it is being used less effectively now.