The actual title initially read:
my current non-exhaustive view of health care (aka COVER OUR BUTTS BUT NOT YOURS!) but that was too long, so, I dropped the first part and stayed with the more hyped up version.
So, yes, I broke my ankle a couple of months ago. And it required surgery. I’m not opposed to surgery, in fact, I generally prefer things that “get things done”. I’d rather get a shot for allergies than deal with the hint of allergies from a daily oral pill. But, I already digress…
I’ve long suspected that doctors are generally running a shell game with the consuming public. If you go to the Doc for a sniffle and he prescribes a antibiotic, the shell game isn’t really seen. But it’s there. First, there’s the antibiotic in the first place. I’ve actually confined with a former Doc of mine that antibiotics aren’t really all that helpful at times, but, the consumer expects the Z Pack, so they prescribe it and everyone wins. Especially the pharmaceutical company who creates the drugs and peddles them and give the Doc a kickback of some sort when their particular formula is “sold”. But, we don’t see any of that.
But, on a surgery, it’s different. There are so many “players” in the game. The facility, the nurses, the anesthesiologist, the x-ray tech/company and finally, the Doc himself. Now, I am totally convinced that the Doc gets kicks backs, if not actually OWNS all those entities. However, the consumer has to pay them all separately. So, when you are told the surgery will cost “X” dollars, they are only telling you what the Doc charges. Then the bills keep coming.
With today’s corporate environment, I realize the Doc isn’t the head of the machine. He’s probably just a cog, another player in the game. It’s HCA Midwest that OWNS everyone and everything. I called the surgery facility today regarding my surgery and accused them of running this shell game to cover their butts. And the receptionist clearly and completely admitted that this was the case. They cover their butts.
Sure, I understand. The doc makes high 6 figures, as he certainly should. But, he has to PROTECT those 6 figures and the Porsche and the lake home and the horse barn and the… So, they run the shell game. If I die on the table, there’s fewer parties in play. And the legalese signed at the front end requires the consumer to sign off everything.
So, I I chose to NOT have the surgery, then what? Well, I’m sure i’d have to sign more paperwork clearing the medical profession of any potential wrongdoing. So, the consumer, me, is screwed either way.
I’m not for socialist policy. I feel the Doc has earned the right to his money and lifestyle. But, when the extreme protection of his rights overweighs that of the little guy, then, well, it frustrating. That, in and of itself, wants “the big guy” to go down.
Ok, I realize this is probably a direct result of the consumer taking on the big guy in years past, which does force the big guy to over protect himself. It just sucks on my end. Why can’t we all just get along?
