The PPACA Thread Part III - Let's have a healthy debate!

[joecct]

How much do you think childbirth costs in the United States?

Questions
1. Were they uninsured?
2. What is the cost for a C-Section in the UK before insurance is applied?
3. Since when does having insurance ensure your access to health care?

[Priceless]

Re: The PPACA Thread Part III - Let's have a healthy debate!

From 2013:

• The average cost of a hospital delivery in America is $9,775, the highest in the world
• In France, delivery costs $3,541, and in the UK it is just $2,641
• Many industrialized countries offer flat fees for prenatal care and delivery, but in America, there is a separate charge for everything from a blood test to removing the placenta

Even insured women in the U.S. pay out-of-pocket costs of $3,400 on average, compared to little or nothing 20 years ago. The difference in the cost of pregnancy and delivery between the U.S. and other industrialized countries is staggering. In America, the average cost of a C-section delivery is $15,041, compared to $6,441 in France and just $4,435 in the United Kingdom. And while pregnancy and childbirth is less expensive in other countries, that's not to say it is any less comprehensive. Indeed, in Ireland, where women receive the same amount of high-tech maternity care as Americans, delivery is free at public hospitals. Women here can also opt to pay a fee for private deliveries.

[joecct]

From 2013:

• The average cost of a hospital delivery in America is $9,775, the highest in the world
• In France, delivery costs $3,541, and in the UK it is just $2,641
• Many industrialized countries offer flat fees for prenatal care and delivery, but in America, there is a separate charge for everything from a blood test to removing the placenta

I like the French model (about the only thing I do like about the French government). I think liability insurance and compliance is driving up our costs?

I was surprised how much it cost my kids to deliver my grandkids. It was free (or just about) when they were born. Now - over a grand. YIKES!

[FlagDUDE08]

Re: The PPACA Thread Part III - Let's have a healthy debate!

I like the French model (about the only thing I do like about the French government). I think liability insurance and compliance is driving up our costs?

I was surprised how much it cost my kids to deliver my grandkids. It was free (or just about) when they were born. Now - over a grand. YIKES!

As I always say, for a $100 drug:

$1 for the materials, $1 for the profit, $98 for the potential lawsuit.

[Priceless]

Re: The PPACA Thread Part III - Let's have a healthy debate!

As I always say, for a $100 drug:

$1 for the materials, $1 for the profit, $98 for the potential lawsuit.

You're leaving out advertising. Have to let people know about that little blue pill that makes you stiff as a board for 4 hours.

In Europe you aren't allowed to advertise drugs.

[dxmnkd316]

Re: The PPACA Thread Part III - Let's have a healthy debate!

I would have zero issues banning advertising for drugs.

[FlagDUDE08]

Re: The PPACA Thread Part III - Let's have a healthy debate!

You're leaving out advertising. Have to let people know about that little blue pill that makes you stiff as a board for 4 hours.

In Europe you aren't allowed to advertise drugs.

True, plenty of money is spent on marketing, and it's not limited to drugs or commercial ads, either. Even PSAs will push medical stuff.

[FadeToBlack&Gold]

Re: The PPACA Thread Part III - Let's have a healthy debate!

True, plenty of money is spent on marketing, and it's not limited to drugs or commercial ads, either. Even PSAs will push medical stuff.

One of the worst kept marketing secrets of big pharma is the practice of hiring young, attractive women as "sales reps" to drop off med samples and "free" lunch at doctor's offices.

Celebrity endorsements as well - Paula Dean was getting paid to hawk her diabetes meds, Phil Mickelson gets paid to talk up his arthritis meds, etc. It's a circus.

[Kepler]

Re: The PPACA Thread Part III - Let's have a healthy debate!

I would have zero issues banning advertising for drugs.

Where do I sign up?

[FlagDUDE08]

Re: The PPACA Thread Part III - Let's have a healthy debate!

I would have zero issues banning advertising for drugs.

DWI PSA, immediately followed by a Coors Light ad.

[DrDemento]

Re: The PPACA Thread Part III - Let's have a healthy debate!

I would have zero issues banning advertising for drugs.

Could not agree more. The direct to consumer campaign in the media, advertising medications that only their doctor can write for them, is a major problem. They always show active attractive people having fun in life, doing all sorts of aerobic exercise. But listen carefully at the end as they roll through the side effects in that sweet voice monotone. And of course they should add, "ask your doctor if you suffer any of these side effects including death."

[DrDemento]

Re: The PPACA Thread Part III - Let's have a healthy debate!

One of the worst kept marketing secrets of big pharma is the practice of hiring young, attractive women as "sales reps" to drop off med samples and "free" lunch at doctor's offices.

Never was offered a free meal in 40 years of practice. Wouldn't have gone anyway, not because of any moral grounds, simply because why would I want to sit there with some drug rep for a sales pitch? Young, attractive women as sales reps? Bring them on!!! My wife Jenny always screened them out in the front office and i only got to see older guys in bad fitting suits. As far as dropping off samples-i know all the negatives brought up but most of my patient population were seniors who could often not afford their medications and the samples helped them on so many occasions. Also helped to allow them to try something before they filled a prescription that might not be helpful but would cost a fortune and was never returnable.

[FadeToBlack&Gold]

Re: The PPACA Thread Part III - Let's have a healthy debate!

Never was offered a free meal in 40 years of practice. Wouldn't have gone anyway, not because of any moral grounds, simply because why would I want to sit there with some drug rep for a sales pitch? Young, attractive women as sales reps? Bring them on!!! My wife Jenny always screened them out in the front office and i only got to see older guys in bad fitting suits. As far as dropping off samples-i know all the negatives brought up but most of my patient population were seniors who could often not afford their medications and the samples helped them on so many occasions. Also helped to allow them to try something before they filled a prescription that might not be helpful but would cost a fortune and was never returnable.

I'm not saying that the samples are necessarily a bad thing - I've been given samples a couple of times when the doctor knows the med is name-brand with no generic equivalent, and will be a $40 co-pay.

[Rover]

Re: The PPACA Thread Part III - Let's have a healthy debate!

Young, attractive women as sales reps? Bring them on!!! My wife Jenny always screened them out in the front office and i only got to see older guys in bad fitting suits. .

No wonder you're crabby all the time.

[Kepler]

Re: The PPACA Thread Part III - Let's have a healthy debate!

The ever-moving hot woman hood ornament profession:

40s - 50s: secretaries
60s - 70s: stewardesses
80s - 90s: paralegals
00s - 10s: pharmaceutical sales reps