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Side Effects of Health Care Reform

   Written by on August 23, 2013 at 9:38 am
By Averett Jones, Southside Messenger Editor

Most will agree that the health care system is broken. The question is, “Is Obamacare the solution?” No one knows. The Obamacare document is longer than the longest novel ever written. As Nancy Pelosi said, “We have to pass it to find out what is in it.”

I have spoken with many supporters of Obamacare. Not one has any idea what the side effects will be. Not one has any idea how it will be funded and no one cares. All they are supporting is the fact that they or someone they care about will be covered.

As I said, the system is broken and needs to be repaired or replaced. Consider that three people can go to the hospital for the exact same health care problem. They may receive the same treatment and the bill is $10,000.

As often happens the problem is when the bill comes due. Keep in mind I know people that fit each of these scenarios. One has been working all of his life and he and his wife are employed. They are buying a home. His bill is for $10,000. He has no insurance due to being laid off from a previous job and cannot buy insurance since he has a pre-existing condition. He may work out a payment plan. There may be a partial deduction but he is responsible for the bill. Sometimes he will be told he cannot receive a test until he pays in advance.

The second patient is also from a two-person household with both working. They are in a similar economic condition except they are paying for health insurance. The health insurance agrees to pay $2500. The patient makes monthly insurance payments, pays a deductible and the bill is considered to be  paid in full.

The third patient is unemployed. He is covered by Medicaid. He receives no bill and pays no deductible.

All three received the same care for the same condition but are billed differently.

There is also an issue with “free” health care whether paid for by insurance, Medicare, Medicaid, or Obamacare. I call it the Buffet Syndrome. It is well documented that the average person consumes more of any product when they perceive the cost of more as free just as they eat more when served a buffet.

There are two major issues with Obamacare. The first is one of those pesky little constitutional issues. I am aware of the court ruling but the 10th amendment to the constitution plainly states, “The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.”

Both Republicans and Democrats frequently ignore this but none have the character to attempt to repeal it. It is more politically expedient to ignore it.

Each state has the right and the authority to mandate health coverage. Each state should be seeking a state solution to the health care crisis.

Alexis de Tocqueville called America “The Great American Experiment” almost 200 years ago. The beauty of States rights is that there should be over 50 simultaneous “great experiments” in progress at the same time. If a single state fails or makes poor decisions, the country can survive. Each state can learn from the successes and failures of other states. Instead of learning from the states bordering on bankruptcy, our national leaders seem to think by expanding failed programs they can be made to succeed.

Massachusetts’ health care program is a mini-Obamacare testing ground. It would be wise to watch the results before committing the entire country.

The second issue, as with all health related issues, is side effects and consequences. Most of us would decline to be a guinea pig for a new untested drug or medical procedure unless we were going to die without intervention.

A few years ago, I had a minor surgery on my hand and was given an anti-inflammatory drug to prevent swelling and inflammation. The next day I experienced severe headaches, nausea and dizziness. Upon looking up the potential side effects I found:

“This medicine can increase your risk of life-threatening heart or circulation problems, including heart attack or stroke.

Seek emergency medical help if you have symptoms of heart or circulation problems, such as chest pain, weakness, shortness of breath, slurred speech, or problems with vision or balance.

This medicine can also increase your risk of serious effects on the stomach or intestines, including bleeding or perforation (forming of a hole). These conditions can be fatal and gastrointestinal effects can occur without warning at any time while you are taking meloxicam. Older adults may have an even greater risk of these serious gastrointestinal side effects:

• chest pain, weakness, shortness of breath, slurred speech, problems with vision or balance;

• black, bloody, or tarry stools, coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds;

• urinating less than usual or not at all;

• nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);

• fever, sore throat, and headache with a severe blistering, peeling, and red skin rash; or

• bruising, severe tingling, numbness, pain, muscle weakness.

Less serious side effects may include:

• upset stomach, mild heartburn or stomach pain, diarrhea, constipation; bloating, gas;

• dizziness, headache, nervousness, mood changes;

• skin itching or rash;

• dry mouth;

• increased sweating, runny nose;

• blurred vision; or

• ringing in your ears.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur.”

 

As far as I am concerned only a fool would take a medicine with those potential side effects for a minor, self-limiting or non-life threatening condition regardless of how seldom the side effects occur.

But when it comes to the healthcare for an entire nation of 313 million people our politicians and citizens are willing to take a chance without considering potential negative side effects.

We have a right to know the side effects and cost BEFORE we take the medicine no matter how good for us our politicians tell us it is going to be.

 

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