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May 20, 2009
Virtual Colonoscopy: An Early Casualty of Socialized Medicine
The WSJ offers a preview of the impending socialized medicine train wreck:
Last week the Medicare trustees reported that the program has an "unfunded liability" of nearly $38 trillion — which is the amount of benefits promised but not covered by taxes over the next 75 years. So Democrats have decided that the way to close this gap is to create a new "universal" health insurance entitlement for the middle class.
Such thinking may be a non sequitur, but it will have drastic effects on the health care of all Americans — and as it happens, this future is playing out in miniature in Medicare right now. Desperate to prevent medical costs from engulfing the federal budget, the program's central planners decided last week to deny payment for a new version of one of life's most unpleasant routine procedures, the colonoscopy. This is a preview of how health care will be rationed when Democrats get their way.
At issue are "virtual colonoscopies," or CT scans of the abdomen. Colon cancer is the second leading cause of U.S. cancer death but one of the most preventable. Found early, the cure rate is 93%, but only 8% at later stages. Virtual colonoscopies are likely to boost screenings because they are quicker, more comfortable and significantly cheaper than the standard "optical" procedure, which involves anesthesia and threading an endoscope through the lower intestine.
The virtual colonoscopy sounds like a no-brainer. It's endorsed by the American Cancer Society and covered by Cigna and UnitedHealthcare — but not by Uncle Sam, because if something turns up, you then need to get the endoscope-up-the-rear procedure. To cut costs, bureaucrats have given virtual colonoscopy a thumbs down.
Decisions like what kind of colonoscopy to get will no longer be up to you and your doctor, but to the same corrupt bureauweenies who are steering the country into a depression. As the red ink rises, the procedures the government feels you're entitled to will grow fewer and fewer. But of course the point is that when no one (except bureaucrats) can get quality healthcare, we'll achieve the liberal goal of equality of outcome.
On a tip from Anna B.
Posted by Van Helsing at May 20, 2009 7:14 AM
Comments
Of course, addadicktomies and cutmydickoffofmies will continue to get increased funding...
Posted by: Henry at May 20, 2009 7:51 AM
The IRS will be administering colonoscopies under National Healthcare - their auditors have alot of experience in this area already.
In Abortion News from Senator Benedict Arlen Sphincters home state: Moonbats are saddened that these enterprising morons didnt succeed.
http://www.pittsburghpostgazette.com/pg/09140/971394-100.stm
"WILLIAMSBURG, Pa. -- State police have charged a man with trying to kill the unborn child of a 17-year-old girl by helping put a cow hormone into her drink.
Forty-six-year-old Jonathan Imler, of Williamsburg, was charged and jailed in Blair County yesterday.
Police say the girl's 16-year-old boyfriend, another 17-year-old boy and Mr. Imler stole the hormone ProstaMate, which the 17-year-old boy then put in the girl's drink at school in March 2008. The hormone's label warns that is can cause an abortion and police say that's why it was given to the girl.
Police say an FBI lab later found traces of the hormone in the girl's drink. She has since given birth."
Posted by: Name at May 20, 2009 7:53 AM
but liberals like having things put up their butts....
Posted by: lemmiwinks at May 20, 2009 7:59 AM
As long as women can freely have their babies sucked out and tossed into the bin, everything else will fall by the wayside.
Human sacrifice gives the liberal agenda much of it's power.
Posted by: Jeffery Wright at May 20, 2009 8:23 AM
oh poo! (had to say it)...
well one thing not mentioned here is there have been several thousands of folks in the past few years who were exposed to HIV, hepatitus, and a few other real nasty diseases - from getting screening colonoscopies (or the other thing, an abbreviated type named something like signoid-something).. this is because it cannot be guaranteed that the equipment can be sterilized.
I had to do some research on the matter when it was reported (back around 2003) that there were over 3000 people in nothern CA who had to be tested for those awful diseases when they found unsterile equipment was used. It was reported in the LA Times. And I found a nurses website I found that discussed this ad nauseum... and something like 75% of the equipment manufacturers said they could not guarentee the equipment could be sterilized, even in an autoclave.
Mind you, if I had risk factors for colon cancer (like in the family or symptoms) I would still have it. But I'm certainly glad to hear they have come up with an alternative to the "in-yer-butt" version, at least for basic screening. ~
Posted by: Ex-bat at May 20, 2009 3:51 PM
2012 Democratic Campaign Slogan:
Bend over and grab your ankles!
Posted by: Anonymous at May 21, 2009 12:06 PM
Can I have the longer,thicker one?
They come from Canada to get these. I have a friend who says the do alot of minor surgeries at the vet. I just can't wait for that.
Posted by: Anonymous at May 21, 2009 1:15 PM
