Medical Staffing

Mark Thoma Brings on Jason Furman early on Sunday morning (at least for Me). I am supposed to approach some kind of rigor in study of the Furman plan, for the viewpoints of Tyler Cowen, Mathew Yglesias, Arnold Kling, and Erza Klein–read the Post for links. Also try Mark’s own Post on Amy Finkelstein. Paul Krugman points out that Costs-sharing has its own limitations.

What We have here is a lot of Queries by very intelligent people, none of whom has a good Proscription for the provision of quality health care. Please don’t blame any of them! The fact is there is no good way to provide health care, and get it funded; all while maintaining high Standards for that care. I will attempt to present the basic causation for the excess Costs in Health Care, and a manner to minimize such Costs.

There is a vital need for ‘Early Detection’ in most issues of Health Care; this generating all the discussion about Screening and Periodic Doctor Visits. Detected ailments often become very expensive–early Detection or not. There is a very real Discussion about overmedication, with much Comment of an overly large Expenditure on that medication due to the Patent royalty system now in operation. The Payment schedule for Medical Services is herein discussed, with few truly enviable Proposals to make such Payment acceptable. Here is where We stand, and it is not Pretty.

My Proposals–short because I have a First Communion to attend later for a Great Niece–Bless you, Hannah!

The first element is establishment of regular Check-Ups; Early Detection achieved. Here I would set Check-Ups for Everyone based on three months intervals, starting from your Birth date. Testing Centers to be open between Noon and Midnight, and staffed for only Doctor supervision of Staff with evaluation of resultant Tests by a specialized Evaluation Center. The Time will lead to greatest compliance, and Staffing leading to lowest Operational Costs. Patients will become comfortable with seeing a Doctor only when there is trouble. Proscriptions will undoubtedly be reduced by some 70%–a benefit to All; think of this as a Goal.

Designated Trauma Centers (Emergency Rooms) will handle all Cases of Accident and Injury, with rapid Transit to area centers dealing specifically with real Issues–Cancer centers, Stroke centers, and Heart Attack centers. This rapid Transfer will be conducted by Military specialty Transport (mostly helicopter–Ambulances); this allows for Military build-up and Training of Medical Specialty personnel while cutting Medical Transport Costs domestically. Military Busing will also be utilized in transport of Outpatients to specialized Treatment centers. The Whole is a multi-tasking effort serving both military needs and the general Public.

The Whole medical treatment system will be connected by a Hot-Line network easily accessed with a number similar to 911–though different. This will be Direct Access to a online Doctor, who will issue Proscriptions, or redirect Patients to the proper center upon understanding the complaint of the specific Patient. It is not near Perfect, but it at least has possibilities of limiting medical costs, and reaching a universal care system at low Costs. lgl