Governmental control of medicine.

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

What do you think and how much do you think your choice would cost per person annually?

[sharesunited]

1. Medicare for all. Simplify. Much better chance of getting it done if you call it that.

[cosmik debris]

2. As much as I hate capitalism

It does seem to produce a lot of good results.

I can't help but think that a lot of medical devices and drugs would not get developed without a profit motive.

A great example is the Massimo SET technology for measuring SpO2 in neo nates. It beats the hell out of the Nellcor Puritan Bennet system and it has been shut out by many hospitals with buying contracts. PB is the preferred vendor so PB gets purchased. But Massimo is muscling its way into the market simply because it is better. Capitalism will eventually bring us the best technology.

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

3. I love their RAD 57 monitor.

It offers noninvasive measurement of Methemoglobin, Carboxyhemoglobin and Oxyhemoglobin in the blood. Fantastic for testing CO on patient and firefighters after house fires.

David

[cosmik debris]

5. I've been out of the business for almost 5 years,

But it doesn't surprise me that Massimo is taking the lead in blood gas technology.

And it is a great success story for a business started by a guy with an idea and a basement to work in. He will kick some major corporate ass before it is over.

And that's a victory for capitalism and for the patients.

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

7. It's completely non-invasive looks like an SPO2 monitor.

[enlightenment]

8. That only a few will be able to afford.

Unfortunately, the benefit doesn't trickle down far enough.

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

9. We have SPO2 monitors on every fire truck and ambulance in our county.

I've never been on an ambulance anywhere that didn't have one.

David

[cosmik debris]

10. So what are the options?

If there were no profit motive Mr. Massimo would have never spent the time and money to invent and develop his brilliant idea. We would have to settle for the second rate systems that he is displacing.

You say that the benefit doesn't trickle down far enough. What makes you think that? How far is far enough.

Our resident Fire Medic seems to already have one for his firehouse and I know many hospitals are buying therm. Ultimately, Massimo will become the "Standard of Care" and every Hospital in the USA will have them. That seems to be a pretty good trickle down to me.

[bananas]

4. What do you mean by "control"?

Are you talking about regulatory agencies like the FDA,
or are saying that it should be illegal for private labs to do any research?
There are different degrees of control.

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

6. I'm mean total government control.

No private corporations allowed.

David

[mhatrw]

11. Who has ever suggested this?

Just wondering.

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

13. No one it's a poll question.

[mhatrw]

14. OK, why is it a poll question?

Just curious.

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

15. I was just curious what peoples opinion was.

I was trying to represent varying degrees of governmental control over various aspects of health care.

David

[mhatrw]

16. Fair enough.

I was just wondering if you knew of anyone anywhere advocating USSR style health care.

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

18. I didn't expect to have any votes for option 4, still felt like it should be represented.

[LeftishBrit]

12. I voted for the last one...

But I am also in favour of a certain amount of government funding and regulation of R&D. I am *not* in favour of complete government monopoly over R&D, however, since I think governments have their own vested interests - mostly in cutting costs - and total government control of R&D will mean that cost-cutting governments will restrict work on, and access to, medicines that seem to them to be too expensive.

[silverweb]

17. Inadequate choices.

(1) Government should pay for all R&D at public institutions such as state universities and the National Institutes of Health. however, government should not control R&D.

(2) Government should pay for all basic health care services, medications, devices, and surgeries prescribed by a patient's doctor. (I define "basic health care services, etc" as those which will keep a person comfortably functional and in ordinary good health).

(3) People who want the very latest, first-class treatment should be allowed to purchase supplemental insurance policies for that coverage.

As for annual cost per person, I don't know. I do know, though, that it would be much, much less than what we spend on wars of conquest and domination.

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

19. Government pay=governmental control, imo.