Healthcare Debate...experiences and observations

Since it's my birthday month - again - I'll confess thta my old body is breaking down. Previous years I could do all sorts of stupid things without physical consequence but a totally wrenched back has hinted those days may be gone.

So I visit a local chiropractor. Nice guy, competent...and I notice that they have signs about some "wellness" program. Second visit they "scan" me and a computer generated, medical profile program (recently purchased) kicks out this impressive data about my nerve, stress and muscle condition. This "diagnostic tool" indicates that while my pain is in the lower back, my "real" problem exists in my neck C1-C3 region (whatever that means). The good Doctor, goes on to advise that my neck is "stressed" causing nerve issues, that nerves control your body and the best would be continuing treatment for the underlying cause before suffering a heart attack. Eyes mentally open "a heart attack". I came in for back pain; and thanks to you it is feeling better.

Well, what the heck (insurance is picking up the tab); let's continue treatments. Progress continues...I go cross country skiing, life is getting normal. Doctor suggests that I also sign up for their "Wellness Program" and provides info about core exercises to support my treatment. After numerous visits, I get a letter from my insurance company that only two more visits will be covered...the chiropracter knows this as well. On that last visit, I get a second "scan" and the data illustrates some very limited progress but "most patients see the greatest gain with about 10 more visits than you've had". My conservative German mind is at a crossroads--because now the $100/week are coming directly out of my wallet.

The computer technology he used is impressive...but did it help my treatments or merely create both an overhead for his business (that needs to be paid for via higher or additional fees) and a visual demonstation/reason to continue them beyond necessary? And what is necessary? If in fact, my C1-C3 region is the source and hasn't fully been treated then not getting it properly adjusted may lead to more devastating back issues (I have a family history including back surgery) or heart attack(?). There's a legitimate point that the most healthy and cost efficient thing is to take preventative measures now...but continuing is my choice and my cost. Ah, there's the rub...personal accountability! A wellness program not followed isn't going to do any more good than the prescribed "core" exercises and heat treatments that I did once or twice before falling off the wagon into engrained habits. Personal accountability needs to be part of the healthcare debate.

My experience is followed by a new article outlining President Obama'a physical. He's 48, but still had a PSA prostate screening test and also a virtual colonoscopy. Experts point to the fact that "neither of these tests likely provided no benefit to his care" but did expose him to radiation. The medical community of doctors and manufacturers of drugs, equipment want "people to equate tests with good care and prevention." Redberg, a cardiologist from Univ California - San Francisco continues "but prevention is all the things your mother told you -- eat right, exercise, get enough sleep, don't smoke -- and we've made this all into new tests". Yes, Obama is President of the United States...but the same thing plays out thousands of times a day on ordinary people. This is why GE Healthcare spends millions advertising during the Olympics. YOU are not going to buy a CatScan machine..but you can influence your doctor and equally or more importantly your Senator and House Representative. Testing is big money for lots of people.

Prevention, like my chiropracter suggested certainly has it's place--but not at the exclusion of personal accountability; both in lifestyle behavior (like doing those core exercises) and financially. When "the insurance company" pays it's easy to get tests--but "someone" (like your employer or youself (in the form of lower wages, higher co-payments) actually DOES have to pay for all of it. My son was a soccer player. During a game he collided with an opponent and my son "went down" and pretty woozie...but he did walk to the sideline. We drove home and he appeared normal but my wife was concerned about a possible broken nose and proceeded to take him to the emergency room. 2 hours later she called home; he was having a cat scan of his head to rule out a concussion. The staff thought it would be a good idea and insurance was covering the tab. Questions: Did the fear of possible extreme litigation enter into that cat scan "being a good idea"? Did it benefit his care? Would the cat scan have been done if my wife and I had to open our wallets for several thousand $'s...or would we might have gone home and monitored him?

Again these things play out thousands of times a day; every day...what a waste.

Personally, I was raised in a religious home and believe that another better eternal life exists for us. "Death" might be postponed through medical technology, but it IS going to happen and with a solid faith system isn't something to be feared. A passport to heaven isn't such a bad thing; certainly not worthy of fear or angst.

It's been said "The only fear we have is fear itself"...that could go a long way toward truly fixing a healthcare system that's based on fear, entitlement and lack of personal accountability. I'll let the politicians to write 1000's of pages on how to do it.

I'm still attempting to figure out if the chiropractor invested in that diagnostic scanner to aid treatment or is it a fabulously expensive marketing tool to legitimize extended treatments beyond necessary. Time to go; I've got those "crunches", core training waiting....and they're free!