There are many arguments flying around the media about what a medical system run by the government might look like. Facing shortages, critics argue the government will have no choice but to resort to the kind of rationing we see in Europe and Canada, where wait times for even the most basic procedures often stretch to months. Defenders of the plan argue those are mere scare tactics, designed to frighten people away from a public option. But how vaccines for the H1N1 are rationed may offer an insight into what we can expect from Obamacare.
George Anter is a senior and Korean War veteran who would like to get a Swine Flu vaccine. He has a compromised immune system that makes him particularly vulnerable. But since the vaccine is in very short supply the CDC recommends against vaccinating the elderly in favor for other risk groups.
“But when I try to get a shot, I’m told I’m too old “
This is because Mr. Anter is statistically at lower risk to the vaccine then young people. Now imagine our entire health care system were run this way, with government bureaucrats decides who needs which treatments and what the cost effective options are. Democrats claim to want the government out of your doctor’s office, but that seems only to apply to abortion.
Fred
November 30, 2009
Is it possible the risk of vaccination in some cases is greater that the risk of the flu? I think the biggest danger with socialized medicine is the tie to big money interests. We may have vaccines we do not want forced on us, and have access to treatments we prefer blocked, or at least not paid for.
Canada is pushing vaccine like crazy.
http://thedailybite.wordpress.com/2009/11/28/after-swine-flu-vaccine-recall-in-canada-health-minister-says-vaccine-safe-and-urges-continued-vaccination/
saintjacque
November 30, 2009
Great point. We have terrible problems with lobbyists now, imagine when the stakes are your health.
Rick
November 30, 2009
Huh? Where do you get this rationing stuff?
If you consider following CDC recommendations rationing, then it has been around forever.
Do we screen 20-30 year olds for prostate cancer? No … 40 year olds for colon cancer (via a colonoscopy)? No … I guess rationing started a LONG time ago then.
This is simply fear-mongering.
Rick
November 30, 2009
A few simply facts.
Today, insurance companies determine which procedures they will cover and which they will not. They do this on the basis of profits… not ‘science’. In fact, the insurance industry employs thousands of doctors who’s sole job is to review new procedures and to determine if they should be covered.
Why aren’t you worried about this situation? I would much rather have a regulation on the books that says insurance companies cannot with-hold benefits to people with “pre-existing conditions”, etc. than to let the current system CONTINUE to deny benefits and deny coverage to people.