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Originally Posted by Villages Kahuna
First, I think I'll still rely more on a scientific poll than a series of one-sided anecdotal reports.
Secondly, CBO is pretty good. But does the "less than 2%" that they say results from legal liabilities and actions include all the unnecessary tests and procedures that physicians prescribe in an effort to cover their fannies in the case they might be sued later? I would find that a statistic that is hard to believe. If we want to rely on anecdotal reports, I can tell you with 100% certainty that based on the bills I've received, the various tests that my internist prescribed as a part of a "pre-surgical" physical increased the cost of what I thought to be a reasonable set of tests to qualify me for orthopaedic surgery by more than triple. Of course, I'm not a physician, but what both an electrocariogram AND an echo cardiogram AND a chemical stress test (for someone with no personal or family history of heart problems) were necessary prior to hip revision surgery didn't make sense to me--other than the need for both the internist and surgeon to cover their butts and/or generate fees for the hospital that employs them...or both.
Like I said, the CBO's "less than 2%" estimate seems WAAAY too low to me.
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Polls are often manipulated to reach a desired result. The weighting of various factors , sampling technique and location can do wonders to achieve an end. The only poll that matters in the end involves the 545 Congressfolk, and they are motivated by concerns other than health care costs.
"Defensive medicine" costs are blatant thievery and should be considered in the same manner as Medicare fraud. There is nothing in the Health Care Bill that changes fraudulent behavior by medical care providers. Let's call "defensive medicine" for what is really is - fraud, and possibly battery! When professionals bank on the ignorance of their customers regarding the technical facets of the provided service - and bilk them for higher costs - that's fraud. A battery occurs when there is an intentional harmful or offensive contact, and an invasive medical test/procedure initiated for fraudulent reasons qualifies as a battery. As long as unscrupulous medical care providers have ANY liability, they will take care of themselves first at others' pain and expense.
Come to think of it, have you ever had a medical care provider say,"
Based on the information I have available to me, I know what's wrong with you and how to treat the problem. However, if you want me to treat you, there will be additional, unnecessary tests you will have to endure so that in case there's a screw-up or just to protect myself from you in general, I've got more evidence to protect me. Those are my conditions for treating you. - take it or leave it" That's also "defensive medicine," but at least the customer isn't BS'ed by the medical care practitioner. Fraud and battery occur when you don't get that caveat, and endure out of ignorance.
I just find it difficult to accept any kind of extortion, whether it be by "defensive medicine" or by the government seeking to expand its size. And I have a harder time rewarding such behavior.
And if the CBO's "2%" estimate seems way too low, is that just a gut feeling or based on the numbers? The CBO based its report on hard numbers that it could lawfully obtain from all involved parties. Since the issue of that 2006 report, there has been no rebuttal (that I've found) from any responsible medical association to the numbers or findings. In fact, the CBO has been pretty consistent over the past few years, to include its latest reports, in not falling into the hysteria and puffing related to perceived versus actual health care costs and ratios.