Is it now between Bernie and Bloomberg?

[shogun32]

Our founding fathers also did a pretty good job in setting up our democracy

we are a representative republic!! There are VERY important distinctions. The USG and the STUPID voting public keep trying to turn this country into into a democracy though. And the Democrats are desperately wanting to turn it into one because once they do they'll be in power forever.

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[Docscurlock]

True but their pricing isn't remotely similar between comparable 1st world countries. The free market solution to that would be reverse importation - buy low sell high and poof there goes the preposterous USA pricing. But the FDA (and Congress) was bribed to expressly prevent such a thing. Hell, the gov't prosecutes people who bring college textbooks back from overseas. Same damn book, same damn printing but bought overseas at rational prices.

The US medical system at all levels is so thoroughly corrupted BECAUSE of gov't interference and implicit (if not explicit) price fixing. The same damn drug is a couple dollars on one side, but $5000 just 10 miles away on the 'wrong' side of the Mexico/US border. How the hell does that happen? Is the drug company losing 4980 dollars on every vial sold to Mexico outlets? Nope! How is it I can fly to Japan, rent a recovery hotel room for a week or two and pay full boat for the surgery and come out many thousands ahead than if I had done the same procedure at Inova 5 miles from my house?

If I go to the Surgery Center of Omaha they've got the prices posted on the door. They are FIXED for EVERYONE who darkens their door. How come when I have the EXACT same procedure done by Inova not only can they not tell me how much the total cost will be, they REFUSE to quote me a firm, fixed price? How is it that the Surgery Center is dramatically better than so-called comparable tier-1 hospitals where it concerns staph infections, surgery mistakes, and other errors in execution? Because they have to EAT it instead of happily charging you for their own f'kup.

When the hospital 'gives' you a knee brace that might cost $40 at CVS, why does it show up as a $200 charge? Isn't the hospital buying in bulk or at the very least sourcing it from the same distributor? If the corner CVS which hardly moves any units can make a profit on $40, what's the justification for 5x the price?

Hey, I agree that medical costs are way out of control. Simply put, none of the politicians are interested in really fixing it. Dems had all three branches of government a few years ago and all we got was the Obamacare catastrophe, Repubs had the same thing 2 years ago and all we got was "fixing" obamacare. I believe Trump wants to pass a law that makes HC providers list their prices, that would go a long way to solving some of the issues.

 

[watisthis]

we are a representative republic!! There are VERY important distinctions. The USG and the STUPID voting public keep trying to turn this country into into a democracy though. And the Democrats are desperately wanting to turn it into one because once they do they'll be in power forever.

Technically, we are both a democratic-republic because our president is elected, and a representative democracy because the legislature acts as the representative of their constituency.

We are both because we have both a unitary executive and a co-equal legislative branch. This is all cutting hairs tho, while we are not a direct democracy as that is widely inefficient, everyone knows what you mean when you say the US is a democracy. The only time its appropriate to make the correction is people in school who need to learn civics which is apparent a lot of people did not learn.

 

[Docscurlock]

Bloomberg is out! Half a billion dollars could only purchase delegates from American Samoa. Not a great return on investment.

 

[IPOGT]

I agree that prescription drug prices are too expensive but they are private companies selling a product. We have to be careful which rabbit holes we go down as a nation. Let's shoot for some tort reform and see what that fixes as far as costs.

They are private companies. However, these products use is not indicated by patients decision they are directed for use by professionals, who presumably have access to to the necessary information to determine whether the side effects, efficacy are worthy of trial. I'd want medical professionals deciding what would be best for myself not a recycled bee gees song. It's ridiculous, and the prime time money spent is obscene considering the current state of healthcare in the United states.

 

[shogun32]

However, these products use is not indicated by patients decision they are directed for use by professionals, who presumably have access to to the necessary information to determine whether the side effects, efficacy are worthy of trial. I'd want medical professionals deciding what would be best for myself not a recycled bee gees song.

except you forget one VERY important consideration - American medical "professionals" are horrendously out of touch. They don't keep abreast of research papers and studies in their specialty and they know precious little about the incessant stream of boutique drugs and permutations.

The ignorant public however is TRIVIAL to influence with mass (and cheap) advertising. The doctor is then besieged by an army of ignorant and stupid people beseeching the doctor to prescribe this or that. And more often than not they'll write the scrip or at least spend more brain cycles than they should have just to mollify the stupid person sitting in front of them. Why send pamphlets and drug reps to the office to occupy the doctor's already limited time when the consumer will do it for free, and incessantly?

The medical industry has LONG been guilty of outrageous levels of bribing doctors to use/prescribe various devices and drugs. I get that marketing and wide adoption is key to moving units and thus profits, and more altruistically to spread widely a useful improvement in patient care.

 

[Docscurlock]

They are private companies. However, these products use is not indicated by patients decision they are directed for use by professionals, who presumably have access to to the necessary information to determine whether the side effects, efficacy are worthy of trial. I'd want medical professionals deciding what would be best for myself not a recycled bee gees song. It's ridiculous, and the prime time money spent is obscene considering the current state of healthcare in the United states.

Most meds you see advertised are either anti depressants or anti diabetes drugs. Anti depressants are big $$ for Big Pharma, they want everyone to think they are depressed and go talk to their doctor and say "why don't we try this new drug". the doctor will say sure, why not and go to his next appt. Lifelong anti depressents are big money.

Don't get me wrong, I think big pharma is very crooked and have way too much control over things but government bureaucracy and red tape don't help anything either. I just think someone needs to play devil's advocate when we want to start restricting citizen's and corporation's rights to advertise or sell a product. Where does it stop, I think Mike Bloomberg is a turd but if he wants to spend a half billion of his own money to run for President, more power to him. Performance cars are inherently dangerous to people not used to driving them or with out the skills but I like to see TV advertisements of GT500s doing a burnout.

 

[shogun32]

but I like to see TV advertisements of GT500s doing a burnout.

Not to OT but you have? The only American muscle cars making smoke have been from Dodge. If I watched prime TV I would never know the GT500 existed, or even Ford itself. But maybe I'm a bit too quick with the 30sec skip button.

 

[IPOGT]

If docs are not informed of the progress within their specialty, then that would be a failure of their respective certifying boards.
Every two years in my profession I have CE hours and testing to remain licensed.
I consider myself informed within my profession.
If there is an issue with being informed, then a mechanism should be created such as a live PDR which doctors can consult to evaluate new potential drug's effectiveness and risks along with their indications. Relying on aunt tillie asking for hemorrhoid cream for a heart condition isn't a recipe for success.

 

[Docscurlock]

Not to OT but you have? The only American muscle cars making smoke have been from Dodge. If I watched prime TV I would never know the GT500 existed, or even Ford itself. But maybe I'm a bit too quick with the 30sec skip button.

Guess I was thinking of this sign and just using the commercial as an example. But TV or sign it all goes into the same impressionable deviant minds.

 

[lacanteen]

Bloomberg is out! Half a billion dollars could only purchase delegates from American Samoa. Not a great return on investment.

Yep, Bloomer's out. Will Warren team up with Bernie now?

 

[shogun32]

Yep, Bloomer's out. Will Warren team up with Bernie now?

I don't see why not. Gotta balance out the old white guy with a colored girl in order to check the requisite identity politics boxes. Our country is so f'ked with this liberal horse-sh*t. Lie-a-watha (or Princess Slinging-Bull) is considerably more Wall Street friendly too and can be seen to balance out the Commie on the ticket.

 

[Docscurlock]

I don't see why not. Gotta balance out the old white guy with a colored girl in order to check the requisite identity politics boxes. Our country is so f'ked with this liberal horse-sh*t. Lie-a-watha (or Princess Slinging-Bull) is considerably more Wall Street friendly too and can be seen to balance out the Commie on the ticket.

I would hardly call Lieawatha Wall Street Friendly. if either of these 2 clowns looks like they would win the presidency I will be investing my money with the "Folgers" method and a shovel.

 

[Bikeman315]

Bloomberg is out! Half a billion dollars could only purchase delegates from American Samoa. Not a great return on investment.

Ha, that's what your supposed to think. Bloomberg came in to create chaos and he did exactly that. I do not know if you watched his first debate but no one bombs as badly as he did until it was intentional. Bloomberg is a very smart man. He was also hopeful that Biden would get his act together. He did and Bloomberg dropped out. He got what he wanted. Now he puts his money behind Joe and blows Bernie out of the water (we hope). Now Bernie has to deal with Warren. She needs to get out or it will hurt him.

I just love it when a plan comes together!!!!

 

[Bikeman315]

Yep, Bloomer's out. Will Warren team up with Bernie now?

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