THE GOOD OLD DAYS:
60 years ago Muhlenberg Hospital recorded 97577 patient days of which 21% were ward patient days, 69% semi-private and 10% private. The economy was good even five years after the war's end. In 1941, the ward patient days were amounted to 41% of the total.
There were three large multi-bed rooms for female medical and surgical patients on the first floor of the newer East building and the same number on the fourth floor for male patients. Ward obstetrical patients were in a small wing between the the East building and the admissions building off the corridor than connected both both with the older West building.
Without air conditioning the temperature on the fourth floor which was under a flat roof often was over a 100% on days like the past few. Certainly the patients on that floor must have felt that they had reached Hell.
HEALTH CARE REFORM:
One of the most controversial issues over the present proposed bills is the end of life consultation issue ,which some zealots claim it is aimed at euthanasia. This issued has caused the AARP which has supported Obama's initiative to lose a substantial number of members.
Concern has risen among the seniors because Obama has stated that necessary cost reductions would come from tightening up Medicare. That can be accomplished d by reducing administrative costs or services. The fear is augmented by government officials stating that the Swine Flue Vaccine when available will be given to (1) Health Care Professionals,(2) young children,(3) pregnant women, and then to adults ages 17 to 65. Since there is no provision for those over 65 on this schedule it would seem that they are being considered expendable. If the population is markedly reduced that would surely reduce cost expenditures by Medicare.
The Swine Flue Vaccination program with its order of allocation of the vaccine is a form of rationing care. The concern is that the denial of protection from this virus would be carried over to the disapproval of other care needs to the senior population.
The other main issue of the federal supported insurance plans has raised fear that every one will be forced to abandon the private insurers. The potential is there. The talk of State Cooperatives as an alternative raises the specter of government managed care and socialism.
GOVERNOR ELECTION:
So far this has been a campaign negative and often stupid TV ads. Christi has not been impressive and Corzine is a lost cause. Where do we go from here?
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Doc,
ReplyDeleteA lot of the seniors are also angry about the fact that the new plan takes a huge portion of its money from Medicare reductions. Seniors understand that if they take from them to pay for others, they are getting the short shift.
Also, if you read the NY Post today, you will see an article about how dysfunctional the cash for clunkers program has become. Not only did it run out of money once, but it is at risk of running out again.
In addition, it appears that a lot of car dealers are getting out of the program because so far, the government has only reimbursed the dealers approximately 2% of the money owed to them.
Do we really want this same government to control our healthcare?