Healthcare Update Satellite — 11-14-2013

See more news from around the web over at my other blog at DrWhitecoat.com An example of the downside to government-run health care. Patients in Venezuela can’t get proper medical care. 300 cancer patients were just sent home when supply shortages and “overtaxed equipment” made it “impossible … to perform non-emergency surgeries.” 70% of the radiation therapy machines are inoperable. Basic supplies such as needles, syringes, medications, operating room equipment, X-ray film, and blood needed for transfusions are all in short supply. There is no anesthesia for elective surgery. Patients can no longer get organ donations or organ transplants. The most important point in the article is that Venezuela’s constitution guarantees free universal health care to its citizens. They don’t just get government-mandated health “insurance,” they get free health care … and look what happens. We need to be very careful about what type of health care system we ask for in this country. The government that has the power to give everything to you also has the power to take everything away from you. Another example of what can happen with “free” medical care. Don’t have a heart attack after 5PM on weekdays or any time on weekends in Kaslo, British Columbia – the ED is closed. If your body doesn’t pay attention to those hours, you’ll have to travel an hour over mountainous terrain to get to the next closest hospital. Hope there’s no snow. Interesti...
Source: WhiteCoat's Call Room - Category: Emergency Medicine Doctors Authors: Tags: Healthcare Update Source Type: blogs