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Should the government provide health care for everyone?
- What's your point? Change a mind. Change the future. Get on Current TV.
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- ENDS: 10/21/2008 11:00 PM
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Fentanyl Kills Over 1,000 in 2 years
The "illegal" version of fentanyl was purchased from a pharmacy and then crushed up into heroin and other opioid narcotics to enhance their effects. They're using a clever word play to make it sound like it wasn't their drug that killed these people, but an "illegal" version.
More than 1,000 people died over two years from an illegal version of the painkiller fentanyl, the government reported Thursday in its first national tally of those deaths.
The wave of fentanyl overdoses first came to light in Chicago in 2005, and by 2006 more clusters were identified in Philadelphia, Detroit and other cities.
Hundreds of deaths from the drug were gradually reported, often episodically in local newspapers. Thursday's report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention puts the toll at 1,013 deaths from early April 2005 through late March 2007.
"This was really an epidemic," said Dr. Steven Marcus, the executive director of New Jersey's poison control center and a co-author of the new report.
Some deaths from illegal fentanyl still occur, but the worst of the outbreak seems to have ended after authorities shut down a fentanyl-making operation in Toluca, Mexico, in May 2006, said Dr. T. Stephen Jones, the study's lead author.
"It almost disappeared entirely. The shutting down of the Toluca facility was probably a major factor," said Jones, a consultant retired from the CDC.
The new report is being published this week in a CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
Fentanyl is a prescription painkiller, often prescribed for cancer patients and administered through a patch. But it also is a powerful, euphoria-inducing narcotic, 30 to 50 times more potent than heroin.
Illegally made versions of the drug are sold as a powder, often mixed with cocaine or heroin, and sometimes used as a heroin replacement. It's possible some heroin addicts are unaware fentanyl is part of their injection, some experts say.
Smaller outbreaks of fentanyl-associated deaths in addicts have been reported before, including the "China White" outbreak of the 1980s, famed for being so deadly that drug users dropped dead with needles still in their arms.
The latest outbreak was first noted in Chicago. Patients who recovered from overdoses said they had been given free heroin in orange and pink plastic bags by new drug dealers trying to attract more customers.
The Chicago cases are summarized in the July issue of Clinical Toxicology.
It wasn't until a cluster of overdoses seen in Camden, N.J., emergency rooms in April 2006 that federal officials were notified of the problem, by Marcus.
The resulting investigation was unusual, because some health officials have been reluctant to spend time and energy investigating deaths related to illicit drugs, Marcus said.
"The response when I deal with public health officials is; 'Drug abuse is a dangerous habit, and drug abusers know it's a dangerous habit, so why are we making a big deal out of it?'" he said.
The report distinguished deaths due to illegally made fentanyl from those due to illicit use of the pharmaceutical product. Medical examiners cannot tell the difference from what's seen in an autopsy, so investigators relied on drugs found at the scene and other information to separate the two.
Also, the investigators did not count cases in every city. The tally covers only two states — New Jersey and Delaware — and the cities of Chicago, Detroit, Philadelphia and St. Louis.
National health statistics show the death rate from unintentional drug poisonings — most of them illicit drug overdoses — roughly doubled from 1999 to 2005.
You can do further research by clicking these links:
http://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr&...
http://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.tandf.co.uk/jour...
The "illegal" version of fentanyl was purchased from a pharmacy and then crushed up into heroin and other opioid narcotics to enhance ... more -
Patient care to end over insurance impasse
You could be denied medical service at the facility of your choice based on the insurance plan your family can afford....
This is a case where the hospital and the insurance company were unable to reach a payment agreement. The hospital and insurance companies have mutually agreed not to do business with each other.
The patients in the hospital who are receiving treatment will have to leave before the deadline set in the agreement, although a clause has been left saying that those with the insurance can still receive emergency room services such as trauma or child birth. I think it's outrageous that you could be denied medical service at the facility of your choice based on the insurance plan your family can afford. This makes room for patient discrimination. Here's the article:
Temple University Health System's doctors are notifying patients that they've reached an impasse in contract negotiations with Keystone Mercy Health Plan.
The contract expires Aug. 31. "Based on the expiration of these contracts, [Temple University Physicians] can no longer provide primary care, specialty care or hospital outpatient testing at Temple University Health System facilities for patients covered by Keystone Mercy," the university said in a written release this week.
Keystone Mercy is a Medicaid-managed care plan operated by Mercy Health System and Keystone First, a subsidiary of Independence Blue Cross.
Keystone Mercy subscribers will still be able to receive emergency care and treatment for ongoing health conditions, such as pregnancy or chronic illness.
The contract dispute involves about 350 physicians and the health plan. The contract expired on Dec. 31, 2007 and it has been extended four times.
Temple estimates that nearly 12,000 patients are affected by the contract problems. It says the doctors receive $8 million a year from Keystone Mercy - $12 million less than it costs to provide care to the company's subscribers.
The health system itself has extended its contract with Keystone Mercy until Nov. 30, according to Rick Buck, a Keystone spokesman.
"It is Keystone Mercy's intention to maintain its business relationship with Temple University Physicians and Temple University Health System," Buck said.
What are your thoughts on this issue? Let others know and join the conversation by commenting below. You could be denied medical service at the facility of your choice based on the insurance plan your family can afford.... ... more -
Medical Group Apologizes to Black Doctors
As I experience it, racism is America's gangrene.
There are times when affected extremities have been treated with low grade antibiotics, but collectively we have never been able to excise the rotted flesh from the body politic. Instead for the most part, we drag the infected along, pretend not to notice its stench all the while periodically tightening the tourniquet, quite sure that cutting off flow to the problem will somehow make it go away. It won't you know.
Recently, the American Medical Association, the largest and most powerful association of doctors, apologized for the way it had shut out black doctors and refused to share information or resources with them. What information? I don't know. But the directors of the AMA believe this exclusion by the white medical establishment was serious enough that the practice of medicine in America was weakened. ...
Here's an example:
Transplant surgeon Clive Callender has hurtful memories of being the only Black doctor at medical meetings in the 1970s, met with stark silence when he pleaded for better access to transplant organs for Blacks.
Another example:
When Dr. Edward W. Reed left Meharry Medical College to enter private practice in Memphis in 1962, membership in the Memphis & Shelby County Medical Society not being opened to people of color like him was an unwritten rule.
That meant that Reed also couldn't join the American Medical Association or its Tennessee affiliate. And at that time, none of Memphis' three major hospitals had a black doctor on their staff, the retired surgeon recalled.
Reed, now 87, would go on to integrate those hospitals and make his mark on the medical profession. Last spring, he was one of three doctors recognized by the Tennessee Medical Association with 2008 outstanding physician awards.
"It was a long time coming," Reed said about the apology. "It's diminishing, but you have some disparities continuing. The magic wand has not been waved and it's all disappeared."
It 's so sad really. I choked up as I read about the AMA's apology, so much for that Hippocratic Oath. I am just starting to read Harriet A. Washington's 'Medical Apartheid.' The evidence of longstanding racism in the medical treatment of black people is hard and strong medicine.
http://www.blackvoices.com/blogs/2008/07/23/medical-gro...
As I experience it, racism is America's gangrene. ... more -
Health insurance concerns from a family man
The second video of a series entitled "We want change!" in which a father describes his health insurance concerns.
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Patient's insurance canceled hours before life-saving brain operation
Caitlin Jackson recently was diagnosed with the disorder Chiari malformation, which causes her excruciating headaches and fainting spells. The condition eventually destroys motor skills and memory.
"I constantly have to have somebody around me," Jackson told Tampa Bay’s 10 News. "I can't even stay at home for five minutes."
She was hours from getting the necessary surgery for her condition when her insurance company, Aetna, waited too long to approve the operation, giving the green light 15 minutes too late. By the time it sent approval, Jackson had lost the operating room to another patient and her surgery had to be rescheduled.
But Aetna then told Jackson it would not cover the surgery at all, saying her benefits had run out and leaving her to cover the $113,000 surgery.
Jackson told Tampa Bay’s 10 News that while her family is in talks with lawyers about appealing the insurance company's decision and while Aetna reviews her case, she has put her life on hold.
"I just have told myself. I have to get through this. I have to pray my way through it," Jackson told Tampa Bay’s 10 News.
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Caitlin Jackson recently was diagnosed with the disorder Chiari malformation, which causes her excruciating headaches and fainting spe... more -
McCain totally confused by birth control question
When asked why he voted against forcing insurance companies to cover birth control costs - especially when those companies already cover things like Viagra - McCain was at a loss for words. When asked why he voted against forcing insurance companies to cover birth control costs - especially when those companies already cov... more
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Smoker who has 10 cigars a day celebrates his 100th birthday
Since his first puff in 1917 he has smoked 153,000 cigars and 715,400 cigarettes and drunk a shot of whisky in his morning cup of tea every day since the age of 24.
He has not suffered any serious health problems related to smoking or drinking. Since his first puff in 1917 he has smoked 153,000 cigars and 715,400 cigarettes and drunk a shot of whisky in his morning cup of tea ... more -
Girl, may be paralysed by disease that baffled doctors - but her mother diagnosed ...
Frustrated at the lack of an appropriate diagnosis, Dominique, who is an estate agent, was so worried that she began doing some research herself on the internet into Danielle's symptoms.
Frustrated at the lack of an appropriate diagnosis, Dominique, who is an estate agent, was so worried that she began doing some resear... more -
U.S. health care gets boost from charity, we need universal health care
Forty-seven million Americans have no health insurance, and that's just the start: Millions more are underinsured, unable to pay their deductibles or get access to dental care.
There is an American relief organization called Remote Area Medical, or "RAM" for short.
Remote Area Medical sets up emergency clinics where the needs are greatest. Usually in the Amazon Jungles. But these days that's not the Amazon. This charity founded to help people who can't reach medical care finds itself throwing America a lifeline.
Remote Area Medical set up its clinic, for a weekend, in an exhibit hall in Knoxville, Tenn. Dentists, optometrists, general medical doctors set up for whatever might come though the door. Nearly everything is donated, and everyone is a volunteer. The care is free.
Friday a little before midnight, Stan Brock, the founder of Remote Area Medical, opened the gate outside. The clinic wouldn't open for seven hours, but people in pain didn't want to chance being left out. They treated hundreds, as time ran out they turned away about five hundred people.
We desperately need Universal Health Care. Physicians for a National Health Program is a nonprofit research and education organization of 15,000 physicians, medical students and health professionals who support single-payer national health insurance. They endorse The National Health Insurance Bill (HR 676)
http://www.pnhp.org/publications/proposal_of_the_physic...
Forty-seven million Americans have no health insurance, and that's just the start: Millions more are underinsured, unable to pay their... more -
McCain's Birth Control Problem
After questioned about why some health insurance covers Viagra for men but not birth control for women, McCain was speechless.
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Senate passes Medicare bill
A Medicare bill opposed by the White House won final congressional approval on Wednesday with the help of Sen. Edward Kennedy, who returned to the Senate floor for the first time since brain surgery last month.
With Kennedy's appearance, he and fellow Democrats overcame a Republican procedural hurdle and, on a voice vote, passed the measure earlier approved by the House of Representatives.
The bill would cancel a scheduled 11 percent pay cut to doctors who treat Medicare patients. It is largely funded by cutting about $13 billion in reimbursements to insurers such as UnitedHealth Group Inc and Aetna Inc that contract with the Medicare program.
A Medicare bill opposed by the White House won final congressional approval on Wednesday with the help of Sen. Edward Kennedy, who ret... more -
Vasectomy Vacations
With the cost of medical procedures rising, a lot of patients are leaving the country to seek medical care and many big insurance giants are entertaining or implementing programs that pay for at least part of a medical costs abroad. With the cost of medical procedures rising, a lot of patients are leaving the country to seek medical care and many big insurance gian... more
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Brothers Bring Hope, Health Care to Their Village
As featured on Foreign Exchange with Fareed Zakaria. Milton Ochieng' was the first person from his village in Africa to set foot on an airplane, thanks to neighbors who sold livestock and property to pay for his ticket. They sent him to the U.S. to become a doctor, asking only one thing in return: "Just don't forget us." As featured on Foreign Exchange with Fareed Zakaria. Milton Ochieng' was the first person from his village in Africa to set foot on an... more
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Nursing Home Abuse
"Bruce Wasserstein: Gouging Grandma", follows Robin Berson, the daughter of an Atria resident, and Dino Vallenes, a maintenance worker at an Atria facility, as they travel to Bermuda to speak out at Lazard's annual shareholder meeting.
They are speaking out about the abuses in Atria facilities. "Bruce Wasserstein: Gouging Grandma", follows Robin Berson, the daughter of an Atria resident, and Dino Vallenes, a maintenance worker... more -
Profits over Patients, says UK Scientist and Nobel Winner
BBC News, Science (by Matt McGrath 07-04-2008)
A Nobel Prize-winning scientist has hit out at what he terms the "moral corruption" of the medical industry. Britain's Sir John Sulston says that profits are taking precedence over the needs of patients, particularly in the developing world.
More at:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7490384.stm BBC News, Science (by Matt McGrath 07-04-2008) ... more -
Hip surgery in India? Insurance may pay
Once the province of the poor and uninsured, medical tourism is gaining attention of industry giants such as CIGNA, Aetna and Blue Cross/Blue Shield, who say they either have begun or are considering pilot programs that provide limited coverage for foreign care. Once the province of the poor and uninsured, medical tourism is gaining attention of industry giants such as CIGNA, Aetna and Blue Cro... more
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Woman, 55, gives birth after finding egg donor through bus adverts
55-year-old woman who advertised for an egg donor on a London bus has given birth to a healthy baby girl.
Linda Weeks, from Maidstone, Kent, and her husband Richard are the proud parents of Katy, born after 14 years of trying for a baby. The couple spent £2,000 on the advertisements before finding a woman willing to help them conceive. It was Mrs Weeks' last chance for fertility treatment, which cannot continue after a woman reaches 55.
The 50 adverts were placed on buses in London on 19 March 2007, the day before their 14th wedding anniversary, and included a photo of the couple getting married. The advert said: "We'll never be Mummy and Daddy unless a wonderful woman aged 36 or under can help us by donating some of her eggs. "You are our only chance of happiness." 55-year-old woman who advertised for an egg donor on a London bus has given birth to a healthy baby girl. ... more -
Issues of the presidential election forNader Obama and McCain
Give us your thoughts on the issues.. not what is on your ipod...
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The Citizens Alliance for National Health Insurance
Enough talk already... together let's just get it done!
THE PRIMARY PURPOSE OF HR676.ORG, INC. IS TO FUND A NATIONAL MULTI-MEDIA ADVERTISING CAMPAIGN TO PROMOTE THE PASSAGE OF...
House Resolution (H.R.) 676
The United States National Health Insurance Act
(“Expanded & Improved Medicare for ALL”)
This bill will provide...
Affordable Single-Payer National Health Insurance for All!
Enough talk already... together let's just get it done! ... more -
Blame game versus root cause analysis
The blame game is what we play. Root cause analysis is what we need. The latter gets at the primary reason for a problem: why some process fails to achieve its intended outcome or it produces a surprise result. No value judgment - good or bad - is made.
Blaming involves finding some person or group to label as the "bad guy." Jeffrey Skilling, CEO of Enron, was a "bad guy." He was a culprit and a symptom, but not a cause of the problem. The Enron disaster was caused by its corporate culture and loopholes in finance/SEC regulations. Together, these two root causes allowed a massive fraud to occur.
Punishing Skilling may satisfy our need for vengeance and even justice. Punishing him was appropriate: he broke the law. However, punishing him will not fix the problem. Without addressing root causes, problems always recur.
A recent Commenter asked a very, very important series of questions related to blaming and solving problems. [A] "Can you tell me who benefits from the [system] status quo? [B] Why is so hard to change the system? [C] If everyone thinks it [our healthcare system] sucks, why does it continue to get worse? [D] If you can't identify who or what is responsible for 'the system,' how do we fix it?"
The simple answer to [A] is all those who are doing well under the status quo: insurance companies; bureaucrats and politicians who keep their jobs; inefficient hospitals, who survive when they would go under in a free market; rules and regulations that are frankly contradictory; and all those to whom change is threatening (the majority).
The system is hard to change - question [B] - because the system is just like a human body: it exhibits homeostasis, which means it defends itself against any change. It wants to stay just the way it is right now.
The healthcare system keeps getting worse - question [C] - because there is only one group with the power and the need for change - us - but we do not agree on what changes we want nor have we demanded system change. That is the reason why I blog here and on www.thesystemmd.com: to get us to talk, achieve a consensus, and demand change.
Question [D] is critical. No one controls or even "is responsible" for the system. You don't fix the system by punishing or changing the people. You fix the system by changing the processes within the system. For instance, incentives affect behavior (child-rearing 101). If you want time with the doctor, do NOT pay her or him based on so-called efficiency, which is measured as patients per hour. That is what we do now, so are you surprised that the doctor has very little time for you? We need incentives that encourage the behaviors we desire.
Management 101 teaches that you get whatever you measure carefully. Do we really want deaths, costs, complications and lawsuits? Because those are the things most consistently measured in health care. We say that we want to retain our nurses but measure only how many leave (turnover). We should measure and follow the outcomes we want.
You require the doctor to make recommendations based on good hard scientific evidence. Why do you not expect the same from the managers and regulators of healthcare?
"How do we fix the healthcare system?" Find the root causes of problems and fix them. This translates to: incentives that are linked to behaviors we desire; measuring outcomes that we want; and requiring ALL decisions, not just strictly medical ones, to be evidence-based with proper feedback. Blaming plays no role in fixing healthcare (or anything else).
The blame game is what we play. Root cause analysis is what we need. The latter gets at the primary reason for a problem: why some pro... more
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