Healthcare in USA

Healthcare in USA by Bobby Buck 

  In an article written by Steven Norris for the Associated Press, July 17, 2008:  "Improving the nation's healthcare could be accomplished by investing just $10.00 per person per year...Invested over five years, the nation could cut health care costs by more than 16 billion dollars annually.  The analysis comes from the non-profit Trust for America's Health and a team of public research groups."  Of course, other obvious sacrifices have to be responsibly undertaken such as not smoking, better control of dietary consumption, more exercise, etc. So, how much are we willing to do as individuals as opposed to groups with little or no healthcare insurance to reduce this economic budget buster?  I will start with my personal perspective and maybe you will submit yours.

  I formally worked with the largest healthcare system in Western Virginia, specifically Carilion Clinic. During that time I carried preferred  healthcare insurance via Blue Cross/Blue Shield. My doctor's office was pleased until Carilion Health switched to their own "in house" coverage.  My doctor's office was not as pleased as before. I later stepped out on my own and started my business, INFOBUCK.COM, http://infobuck.com and of course had no health care insurance.  My doctor's office continued to work with me on a cash as you go agreement. I later developed type 2 diabetes along with hypertension of which I had since my early 40's.  Needless to say, I couldn't afford these meds out of pocket and through my business, I found two companies that provided these meds at no charge. However, one of these meds could only be ordered and received through the doctor's office and not directly by me. The doctor's office told me that they could not provide this service and it was their medical office's policy. That medical office is Jefferson Internal Medicine in Roanoke. I then had to find a primary care physician whose office could provide me with this vitally needed service and I did via Salem Family Clinic. With the change in my dietary habits, stress reduction and exercise regimen, as well as taking my meds as prescribed, I am living a healthy lifestyle while advancing my business.  In return for assisting me in my medical needs, I offered to provide technology research at no charge to Salem Family Clinic in getting meds at little or no cost for their patients. 

  Back to Steven Norris' article...this is a bottom-up healthcare solution and unfortunately, healthcare  in the USA is a top-down problem to our economy, with exorbitant profits going to the large insurance groups, pharmaceutical manufacturers , medical doctors' associations, hospitals, pharmacies, and with little or nothing left for Joe-Six Pack and family. Admittedly, Joe-Six Pack may have to alter his lifestyle as an individual but at the same time he should be protected from the unhippocratic,  greed-prone, "get-as-much-as can" of the monetary pie while the getting is good. Nevertheless, my business concept is catching on and as more and more people become informed about "the system" the more they can maintain good health without having to decide between food, fuel, and medicine.