tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8310158610197025977.post6589753752937133897..comments2023-04-13T07:18:14.262-07:00Comments on Courierwatch: The mammogram tempestSteven Ayreshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15663818104866997062noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8310158610197025977.post-41441365230044230852009-11-24T15:07:55.431-07:002009-11-24T15:07:55.431-07:00I lived and worked in Japan for seven years starti...I lived and worked in Japan for seven years starting in the late '80s. I'm generally suspicious of conventional medicine, so I had little occasion to use the system, but it was mandatory and cost me a relatively small payroll deduction. When my appendix started acting up, I got prompt, efficient, skilled care from people who listened to my needs and fulfilled them, as well as a very positive outcome. The "co-pay" cost was negligible. <br /><br />Of course I have many friends and relations with experiences in the Japanese health-care system, and while they vary from person to person -- no system is perfect -- I don't know anyone who would prefer a US-style system.Steven Ayreshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15663818104866997062noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8310158610197025977.post-83601318395922142322009-11-24T14:42:18.139-07:002009-11-24T14:42:18.139-07:00Ok, I put the 1/1900 into another scenario and int...Ok, I put the 1/1900 into another scenario and into better perspective for myself. What if, at the door to the Dr.'s office, rarely, only about 1/1900 times, a vent cover fell and killed whoever was walking through. But it was a very very expensive vent cover that all doctors used, and would have to be replaced every year in order not to fall. Now this is a quick painless death, and of course we would say fix it and avoid those deaths; these are very unacceptable numbers. Ok, now about the radiation. I don't want to talk about it because I have a CAT scan coming up that is COMPLETELY unnecessary, but my Dr. has no interest in hearing anything other than the conclusion she made in 5 minutes while I was in her office. It's a long story, but I'm stuck with her, and if I want to get the surgery I want (deviated septum jfyi) to get, then I have to have another (this will make 4 in 5 years, plus an MRI) CAT scan - not to mention all of the drugs I had to try AGAIN, that didn't work the first 10 times. I don't want the radiation, and I absolutely agree with you about the harmful effects not being weighed in. Also, I don't subject myself to much media, so I haven't seen the distortions, but I know about the whole "It's Obamacare starting....." thing. Very predictable, and maddening. I also would be willing to accept less care for Single Payer, the rest a person could pay for if they wanted right - without a middle party! Where did you live with SP if you don't mind my asking? You were happy with the care and availability of it?Mianoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8310158610197025977.post-31072881496067822162009-11-24T14:18:27.691-07:002009-11-24T14:18:27.691-07:00I'm sure that at the other extreme, relentless...I'm sure that at the other extreme, relentless testing of everyone would turn up a lot more possible cancers. The other side of the equation, generally ignored, is that testing also involves radiation known to cause cancer and other negative health effects, in addition to the injuries wrought by the procedure itself, unnecessary biopsies, infections, etc.<br /><br />While it seems to me that the procedure is barbaric and provides very poor results overall, I'm not meaning to take a position on whether a 40-year-old woman should start biannual mammograms. I think everyone should do their own research and do what seems right for them. Here I'm only concerned about the distortion of the issue in the media, and I think that's been strong and to a large extent politically motivated.<br /><br />I'm not sure what you're remembering, but for the record I'm a single-payer advocate myself, having lived in one such system for many years. I'm willing to accept a lot less than that in the current effort, if only to establish a foundation to build on.Steven Ayreshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15663818104866997062noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8310158610197025977.post-35711550906726129172009-11-24T13:15:06.279-07:002009-11-24T13:15:06.279-07:00I heard from someone on a panel on NPR that by fol...I heard from someone on a panel on NPR that by following those guidelines in America, one in about 1900 women would likely miss an opportunity for early detection. I don't know what to think about that. On one hand, it's a person, on the other, it's a lot of money that could be used for? I want to say prevention or research, but the savings wouldn't end up there, unless we were talking about something like a Single Payer plan. Anyway, the other thing that keeps bothering me is that I also heard that mammograms cost around $100. It seems almost ridiculous that we even have a middle man (insurance) involved. I think you wrote something about that before Steven, about not having routine Dr. visits be insured, but just having major medical? I prefer Single Payer myself. I feel pretty staunch about healthcare and profit not being bedfellows.Mianoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8310158610197025977.post-26412033657766892452009-11-23T22:42:52.648-07:002009-11-23T22:42:52.648-07:00And when you're afraid, reason is meaningless....And when you're afraid, reason is meaningless.Steven Ayreshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15663818104866997062noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8310158610197025977.post-41082922951104302122009-11-23T22:11:53.910-07:002009-11-23T22:11:53.910-07:00spoken like a true man. if you had to worry, you&#...spoken like a true man. if you had to worry, you'd understand the editorial.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com