Thursday, August 6, 2009

How Government Run Health Care Will Save Money

If you wonder how it's possible that a government-run health care system could possibly save us money, consider this scenario:




It’s 2011. Two men, unaware of each other, seek treatment at a healthcare clinic at roughly the same time. One is in need of a kidney transplant. The other is 30 pounds overweight and experiencing massive gastrointestinal distress. On the surface, these appear to be two completely unrelated medical situations that should be treated separately. But in a new age of progressive healthcare, where medical professionals will be rewarded for crafting financially efficient medical solutions, the clinician will be required to delve deeper into the two cases.



A quick review of their paperwork reveals that the kidney transplant patient is an autoworker, and a UAW member in good standing. The fat man with the stomachache is a stockbroker, and a member in good standing of the Greenwich Boat & Yacht Club. Advantage: Autoworker.



Next, a review of automobile registration records reveal the stockbroker is driving a 12 MPG Jeep Cherokee. Further, a review of his driving record indicates that, 2 years before, he ran down a defenseless fawn with said Cherokee. The autoworker’s records indicate he took full advantage of cash-for-clunkers legislation, as well as his UAW exemption from any healthcare tax surcharges, and upgraded to a smart new GM hybrid. Advantage: Autoworker.



Finally, a thorough review of the families reveals that the stockbroker and his wife have 4 energy-sapping children, one of whom has Downs Syndrome. The autoworker and his wife have two children, one more than the state-encouraged limit. But off-setting this transgression, the autoworker has three abortions to his credit, including one late-term abortion that carries bonus weight. Advantage: Autoworker.



This thorough analysis provides the clinician with a terrific rationing opportunity. Offering the stockbroker a shot to relieve his pain, he instead injects him with a paralyzing agent that gives him just enough time to harvest the stockbroker’s kidney, which he packs in ice and gives to the autoworker with directions to the nearest transplant facility. The stockbroker is given some literature on the dangers of trans-fat consumption, and told that he can return for treatment if he can produce evidence that he has terminated his Downs Syndrome child.



And that’s how it works! I hope this little exercise illustrates the magic of healthcare rationing and how it can save the non-taxpaying Americans money.

8 comments:

James' Muse August 6, 2009 at 6:19 PM  

Okay, this is off the wall. This is no better than those on the left thinking Bush would turn America into some Secret Police state because of the PATRIOT act...none of this is backed in facts. I'm a little disappointed in this blog entry, TC.

Miss T.C. Shore August 6, 2009 at 7:23 PM  

You're right. I'll report myself to the White House website right away.

a red voice August 6, 2009 at 8:13 PM  

Well.... you have exaggerated a bit, But the message you are trying to get across is true!!

Under ObamaCare, Washington would use "comparative effectiveness research" to dictate to doctors which treatments they should prescribe and how much they should cost, and who should receive them. The "Health Choices Commissioner" will decide what treatment/benefits you receive. It ultimately would transform legislators into quasi health care practitioners. Legislators would become quasi medical practitioners because they would lead and guide the government-controlled medical boards, personnel and policies that would oversee the program.

That in turn would lead to rationing of our health care services and the government hijacking our private healthcare decisions. And of course, the consequences will be massive and destructive to our economy and our freedoms.

James' Muse August 6, 2009 at 9:14 PM  

I don't think you should "turn yourself in"...I just mean normally your blog is above this kind of thing.

LL August 6, 2009 at 9:24 PM  

I don't think you're out of line, TC. The problem is that the core argument is grounded in a combination of the Obama Administration's demonstrated bias AND the proposed health care legislation.

I wouldn't worry about reporting yourself. I think the Obama Administration has you on several watch lists already.

Anonymous,  August 6, 2009 at 11:14 PM  

Scary. But possible

Miss T.C. Shore August 7, 2009 at 9:16 AM  

James,

I was hoping that this post would be "off the wall" enough that anyone would realize its sarcasm. I don't think any doctor or clinician would make a decision like this on this basis, even under a single payor system or a government-run health facility.

That being said, if you READ THE BILL, it's obvious that health care decisions will be made with a nod toward political considerations.

I've read much of the bill. I'm about halfway through it, so I'm not towing the party line or parroting LImbaugh or Hannity. While much of the verbage of the bill seems innocuous, you'll run across a line or two here and there that carries very powerful implications.

James' Muse August 7, 2009 at 10:54 AM  

I was hoping this was satirical in nature; the problem I'm having is that many people who let the last administration take away freedoms (and still defend those decisions) are now up in arms about other things done by this administration...we need to all keep closer eyes on our administrations, regardless of partisan topics.

Btw, I didn't accuse you of parroting anyone...just that if this wasn't satire, then I was worried...

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This blog is about my opinions and world view.  I am a conservative, evangelical Christian.  Generally speaking, if you post a comment, I'll allow you to express your view.  However, if you say something hateful, untruthful, or just generally something I don't like, I may remove it.

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