Thursday, August 15, 2013

Taking the Pulse of Our Healthcare System


I believe the US Medical System Needs a Major Overhaul. Instead of focusing primarily on treating people after they have a condition, the U. S. medical establishment must shift its focus to prevention. This is sound, both ethically and economically. I sense it will increase our chances of getting quality medical care that is cost-effective as well as mindful of the body’s power to reach optimum health through a balance of healthful nutrition, exercise, and lifestyle changes. My ideal calls for less medication and medical interventions, less hi-tech tests, and no cruel and inhuman treatments that are worse than the diseases they are supposed to cure. 

A recent viewing of the documentary Escape Fire: The Fight to Rescue American Healthcare was the impetus for this blog. The film features commentary from doctors, business executives, and citizens inside and outside the conventional health care system like Wendell Potter, the former head of communications for health-insurance giant, Cigna. "At the executive level, what's important is meeting Wall Street's expectations. You almost forget that what you're doing is providing health care."

Donald M. Berwick, the ex-Administrator of the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Medical Services (2010-2011) also appears in the film. He provides information that may outrage you; at least 187,000 people a year die from harmful care in hospitals, with the cause of death listed as “Medical Error.” 

We spend close to $8,000 per person a year on health care (more than any other nation), but the results of this spending are grim. 

We pay more, yet our health outcomes are worse. About 65% of Americans are overweight and almost 75% of healthcare costs are spent on preventable diseases that are the major causes of disability and death in our society.” 
Read more at 

This presentation is a must see for anyone concerned about health care in America. It is informative, startling, unnerving, and hopeful too. Learn what Dr. Andrew Weil (Founder of the U of A Center for Integrative Medicine), Dr. Dean Ornish, Dr. Steven Nissen, Steve Burd (Pres. & CEO of Safeway, Inc.), Dr. Wayne Jonas and others say will help overhaul a system in crisis. Remember please, doctors, nurses, and other health care providers do save lives, but far too often the medical establishment harms and even kills us.

Please share your opinion about the Health care system by clicking on the envelope below. If you prefer go to Linkedin or send your message via email.

The quotation for today is:

To keep the body in good health is a duty... otherwise we shall 
not be able to keep our mind strong and clear. Buddha

1 comment:

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