Paul Farmer writes often about the commodification of health care, and how commodifying it also leaves the poor, who most need health care, unable to receive it, of being told it isn’t “cost effective” for them to receive it.
My own experiences with “the health care system” are not very positive. I pay a lot for a “health care package” and get it through work, and it is for the most part, not very helpful for me.
I am looking at Medicare because of the possibility I will retire. There are many decisions you have to make and of course Medicare only covers 80%. There is no dental or Eyecare available unless you take Medicare Advantage, but then you are limited to who you can see and deductibles can be high. Regular Medicare allows you to choose who you want to see, but then you are almost obligated have to pick up Supplemental Insurance because Medicare only covers 80% and with the cost of any intervention, paying a deductible and that 20% could bankrupt you quickly if you are on a fixed income. Plus with regular Medicare, there is no dental or Eyecare at all, so if you want it, you have to get a separate Insurance Policy for that.
I think US Healthcare should also be emphasizing wellness as a key policy, and it doesn’t. Let’s face it, medical costs for “Healthcare” as it is now are prohibitive and no policy can keep up with ever escalating costs. Healthcare needs to be changed from a system of commodification to one where those involved in “Healthcare” strive to keep us well. They “accompany” us in our quest for living well. “Accompaniment” is a term Farmers used in his book “To Repair The World” in a chapter called “Accompaniment As Policy”. Accompaniment is a term he said is used in liberation theology which has its roots in Latin America. So what would “Accompaniment” look like? Maybe a health system fir example, that would have more community health workers to help ensure the health of the elderly where they live, or a system that meets people where they work or go to school.
Everything Timothy wrote here was obvious to me. What made the piece so strong was how far away this county is from recognizing health care as a right. The commoditizing of the health care systems separates people from their bodies. It is under the rubric of cruel and unusual punishment.
I would be very curious to know what Timothy thinks of the 'pursuit of happiness' as a right. It is a philosophical matter, perhaps, but I would like to understand it from a historical perspective. Why did Jefferson say that? What did it mean at his time, and what does it mean now?
In the United States we practice “sick care” not “healthcare.”
The ACA ideal was to transition our healthcare system into one that focused on preventative health. Unfortunately, much of the original legislation was watered down to ensure a bill was put forward that would pass.
Healthcare is currently “rationed” by insurance companies who focus on profit. Major insurance companies reported huge profits during the pandemic. Much of which was due to denying (rationing) care to people who needed it most. It’s not just hospitals that are looking at their bottom line. In fact, now a days most of US private insurance healthcare costs go towards administrative costs vs actual healthcare dollars.
If we are to be more free with healthcare, we need to eliminate third party payers and mandate that insurance companies cannot make a profit (as is done in countries like Germany).
Thank you Dr. Snyder for applying your knowledge on freedom to healthcare.
Clearly, not a right in the legal or precatory Declaration of Independence sense. Having said that, health care for all is an ideal supported by the common sense notion of fairness for all the reasons you mention.
Paul Farmer writes often about the commodification of health care, and how commodifying it also leaves the poor, who most need health care, unable to receive it, of being told it isn’t “cost effective” for them to receive it.
My own experiences with “the health care system” are not very positive. I pay a lot for a “health care package” and get it through work, and it is for the most part, not very helpful for me.
I am looking at Medicare because of the possibility I will retire. There are many decisions you have to make and of course Medicare only covers 80%. There is no dental or Eyecare available unless you take Medicare Advantage, but then you are limited to who you can see and deductibles can be high. Regular Medicare allows you to choose who you want to see, but then you are almost obligated have to pick up Supplemental Insurance because Medicare only covers 80% and with the cost of any intervention, paying a deductible and that 20% could bankrupt you quickly if you are on a fixed income. Plus with regular Medicare, there is no dental or Eyecare at all, so if you want it, you have to get a separate Insurance Policy for that.
I think US Healthcare should also be emphasizing wellness as a key policy, and it doesn’t. Let’s face it, medical costs for “Healthcare” as it is now are prohibitive and no policy can keep up with ever escalating costs. Healthcare needs to be changed from a system of commodification to one where those involved in “Healthcare” strive to keep us well. They “accompany” us in our quest for living well. “Accompaniment” is a term Farmers used in his book “To Repair The World” in a chapter called “Accompaniment As Policy”. Accompaniment is a term he said is used in liberation theology which has its roots in Latin America. So what would “Accompaniment” look like? Maybe a health system fir example, that would have more community health workers to help ensure the health of the elderly where they live, or a system that meets people where they work or go to school.
Loved your book. Beyond being a much valued historian, you an incredibly wise man.
Everything Timothy wrote here was obvious to me. What made the piece so strong was how far away this county is from recognizing health care as a right. The commoditizing of the health care systems separates people from their bodies. It is under the rubric of cruel and unusual punishment.
I would be very curious to know what Timothy thinks of the 'pursuit of happiness' as a right. It is a philosophical matter, perhaps, but I would like to understand it from a historical perspective. Why did Jefferson say that? What did it mean at his time, and what does it mean now?
In the United States we practice “sick care” not “healthcare.”
The ACA ideal was to transition our healthcare system into one that focused on preventative health. Unfortunately, much of the original legislation was watered down to ensure a bill was put forward that would pass.
Healthcare is currently “rationed” by insurance companies who focus on profit. Major insurance companies reported huge profits during the pandemic. Much of which was due to denying (rationing) care to people who needed it most. It’s not just hospitals that are looking at their bottom line. In fact, now a days most of US private insurance healthcare costs go towards administrative costs vs actual healthcare dollars.
If we are to be more free with healthcare, we need to eliminate third party payers and mandate that insurance companies cannot make a profit (as is done in countries like Germany).
Thank you Dr. Snyder for applying your knowledge on freedom to healthcare.
Clearly, not a right in the legal or precatory Declaration of Independence sense. Having said that, health care for all is an ideal supported by the common sense notion of fairness for all the reasons you mention.