Health Care Reform – What a great example of Design By Committee

We need Health Care Reform. Premiums and underlying health care costs are rising at an astronomical rate. Most people are one bad incident away from bankruptcy or death, whether they realize it or not. Too many are uninsured. So, after a year of designing health-care reform, we have … an abomination that doesn’t address any of the root causes, as far as I can I tell. And the cost? It’s advertised as a little less that ONE TRILLION DOLLARS – as astounding as that is, it’s based on TEN YEARS OF REVENUE AND FIVE YEARS OF BENEFITS/COSTS. This means the true cost, is on average, $250 Billion dollars. That’s ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS A YEAR FOR EVERY MAN, WOMAN, AND CHILD IN AMERICA.For covering 20 million people, that’s $ 12,500 per year for each person who doesn’t have coverage now.

The much-vaunted public option? It will help and additional 2% of the population – no typo here – to the rolls of the insured. You gotta be kidding.

So, how CAN we afford to insure 25 million or so legal residents who are uninsured?

Well, for starters, a small fraction of those WANT to be insured, but that’s a double-edged sword, because it limits the need for reform in one sense, but creates the need in another. In order to bring premiums down and coverage up, I believe a simple formula can work:

1) Ensure EVERBODY is insured. This is necessary to spread the costs across more people, including the young and healthy (who are still only a swine-flu infection or auto accident away from expensive medical demand). Do the current bills make this happen? Not really, no real teeth in the penalties. Instead of creating a huge new bureaucracy to make this happen, why not just have the government pay a part or all of the premium based on a sliding scale of need? Remember, premiums will be lower than they are now if items 1-6 are implemented. The big issue here is how does the system absorb this much new demand, with the same or less supply? More to follow. There are legitimate concerns about the constitutionality of legislating this, but that doesn’t mean there can’t be strong incentives for this via tax breaks or penalties, or other benefit (handout) reductions. Grade on bills in Congress: F.

2) Implement tort/malpractice reform. I’m not an expert, but it seems obvious that physicians perform much defensive medicine – raising costs and increasing demand for medical services. Build in a process for screening suits based on their validity by a cross-functional panel of experts. Grade on bills in Congress: F.

3) Ensure everybody has skin in the game: incentivize plan with moderate deductibles and co-insurance. This will encourage smart consumption – which will reduce demand on the system. It will lead to more of a consumer class of patients. The flip side of this is to dis-incentivize low-deductible, no copay/coinsurance plans. If healthcare is “free”, people overuse medical care. Grade on bills in Congress: F

4) Either make health insurance tax-deductible or taxable for all. Why are employee plans tax-deductible for employers, but not for private citizens? Removing the deduction for corporations will encourage more of number 3. Grade on bills in Congress: D.

5) Allow/force insurance companies to compete across state lines. Why on Earth is this so hard???? Grade on bills in Congress: F. Not addressed. How could this NOT lower costs and improve benefits?

6) Believe me, I’m all about lower taxes, except in certain scenarios. Here’s one of those. Increase taxes of cigarettes, soft drinks, and junk food and put them into the health-care fund. Big if, though, if people live longer and healthier, it may cost more through more years of social security and Medicare coverage. Dying earlier probably saves money.

Six simple things, none of them in the cards now. Instead we have the monstrosity working through the system. It will cause rationing (how do you add 20+ million people to the demand side, while simultaneously reducing the supply side via lower payments)? It will cause larger deficits. It will cause inflation, recession, unemployment, and ultimately, less coverage, worse health,

What am I missing here? What is our government thinking?

Mike Walsh, President

http://www.WesternDiabetic.com

Ph. (877) 937-8342

Fax: (866) 808-3418

Blog: mail-order-diabetic-supplies.com

Western Diabetic Provides Embrace No-Code Talking Meter

Western Diabetic Supplies has now added the brand-new Embrace No-Code talking meter to its broad meter offerings.

The Embrace meter is exciting because not only does it provide talking results with a tiny amount of blood, no coding, voice results, alternate site testing, and fast results, but it looks great!  Looks just like an iPhone or other cool consumer electronics device.  Buy it at Embrace Talking Glucose Meter or call, toll-free, 877-937-8342.

New talking glucose meter - looks great!

Reforming (Deforming?) Health Care?

Wow, what an amazing thing we’re witnessing right now in America.  First, the goverment makes a valiant run at healthcare reform.  Hard to argue that something doesn’t need to be done.  However, leave it to our government to make a mess out of a good idea.  Regardless of your place in the political spectrum, I think our democratic process is a beautiful thing (as ugly as it is).

Do I think we need broader coverage?  Of course.  Breaks my heart to field calls from diabetics with no insurance, knowing they are not giving their disease the treatment it needs to keep them healthy.  Not to mention the ultimate cost to those with insurance when the uninsured end up in the hospital because they couldn’t afford preventive treatment.  That is one reason why insurance premiums are through the roof.

Maybe I’m just a simpleton, but seems to me there is some low-hanging fruit that would immeasurably improve upon our currents system, without the mess.   Here are some thoughts on the matter, in no particular order.

1) What’s going to happen when 20, 30, or 50 million additional people are added to the rolls of the insured and want to go see a doctor – that is, one of the current, fixed number of doctors available.  It’s not like the wait to see a doctor is not already too long, in many places.   Let’s see – supply fixed, demand increasing by 20%.  You do the math.

Well, part of the current demand may be exaggerated (or supply constrained, depending on how you look at it) by doctors doing too many tests, treatments, etc, due to the fear of malpractice.   Reduce malpractice risk, immediately open capacity.   Enough to cover an additional 50 million people?  Probably not.

Therefore, increase the supply by having more doctors, right?  How’s that going to work with malpractice insurance increasing, and reimbursements decreasing (have to pay for the newly insured, right?).

Seems like we need to address tort (in this case, medical malpractice) caps.  That is completely missing from the 1000-page bill pending in congress right now.

2) Why are we only talking about how to increase government revenue to pay for this bill?  Why are we NOT looking for cuts in government spending to pay for this?  That would make it much more palatable, in my opinion.

3) Why do our lawmakers feel compelled to add layer upon layer of bureaucracy for every program?  Has anyone seen the Rube Goldberg plan, with committees, councils, advisory boards, etc just to administer this?  Why is this needed? Why not just expand Medicare?  (not exactly an example of lean and mean, well, lean, anyway).  I think they would design an artificial limb to fix a paper cut.

4) Why not just allow Private Insurance plans to offer plans across state lines.  That will significantly increase consumer choice and competion. What am I missing here?

5) Charge more for lifestyle choices which are widespread and proven to significantly increase health care costs (smoking, obesity, etc).  I am willing to pay for my choices.  But, offer programs to help people change, covered by their insurance.

In my mind, putting this together, a huge improvement would be gained by elimination frivolous and exorbitant medical malpractice, defining standards of care which would preclude lawsuits; cutting waste in the budget to pay for vouchers to help the poor buy insurance, allowing private plans to compete nationwide, compel everybody to obtain coverage, charging extra premiums for expensive lifestyle choices, and making individual premiums tax deductible.

Simple, right?

Mike

Glucose Meter Giving Whacky Readings?

Several things can affect the accuracy of blood glucose readings. First, let me give a little background.  The way most glucometers (glucose meters) out there work is that the little strip on which you put your blood droplet has a chemical on it (reagent) which reacts with the glucose in your blood.  The reaction causes an electrical current, and this current is what your meter reads to determine your blood glucose level.  More glucose equals higher current equals higher reading on the meter.  Your glucometer is essentially an ammeter.

There are two popular reagents used nowadays – Glucose Oxidase and Glucose Dehydrogenase.  Each can be affected by various things.

The popular glucose oxidase (GO) meter systems are OneTouch Ultra, Prodigy Voice, Advocate Redi-code, Prodigy Autocode, Glucolab, and more.  Meters using glucose oxidase may have inaccurate readings due to the use of certain medications; specifically, aspirin, acetominophen (Tylenol),  and Dopamine.  Glucose oxidase strips also are less senstive to breakdown due to storage at high temperatures – they are more stable.  However, GO measurements ARE affected by the amount of dissolved oxygen in the samples, so they may be more sensitive to high altitudes or with critical-care patients who may have low blood oxygen levels.

The popular glucose dehydrogenase (GDH) – Abbott Freestyle meters,  Roche Accu-Chek meters, Medisense Optium meters.    The accuracy of some GDH meters has been shown to be adversely affected (higher readings than actual) by treatments used for peritoneal dialysis patients (for kidney failure).    The treatments in question are those using icodextrin (Extraneal), or those using drugs containing maltose (Octagam), galactose, or xylose.

So, what to do?  If you regularly use aspirin, Tylenol, or dopamine, use a glucose-dehydrogenase-based meter such as Accu-chek or Freestyle.  If you are on kidney dialysis, use a glocose oxidase meter such as Advocate Redi-code.

Also, make sure you are not using an iodine based method for cleaning your test site, as it is known to affect GO readings.

Western Diabetic Supplies (http://www.westerndiabetic.com) carries a full line of both GO and GDH meters and can help ensure you are getting the most accurate readings possible.  Call (877) 937-8342.

Western Diabetic Supplies Weighs in on Health Care Reform and National Competitive Bidding

Health Care Reform is all over the news now and is quickly becoming a major part of the national dialogue. How will current initiatives affect the health care of the greater than 20 million people diagnosed with diabetes (and the large yet-to-be diagnosed population)?

First and foremost, we at Western Diabetic Supplies firmly believe that everybody in this country must have access to health care. This is not only a moral argument, but is also an economic one. Those without health insurance either avoid treatment in the presence of severe symptoms until their conditions significantly worsen (and become more expensive) or receive expensive treatment in emergency rooms. The cost of non-emergency emergency room treatment dilutes resources for urgent care of others, and, more pertinently to this discussion, is transferred to those with insurance through higher premiums or less coverage.

Universal health care coverage, however, does not mean single-payer (think Medicare/Medicaid expanded to everybody). Single-payer government health care will result in more people having coverage, but with the likelihood that such coverage will be less comprehensive and, quite possibly, less effective. We are concerned that a cookie-cutter approach will be used to define specific coverage for specific conditions in a one-size-fits-all methodology. The government will only pay providers for their preferred treatment regimen, dis-incentivising physicians from new, potentially more-effective treatments or treatments which are customized to the needs of individual patients.  Why not just type symptoms into a algorithm designed by Congress and let it dictate your treatment according to their idea of what’s best for you?  Who needs doctors anyway?

It is already more difficult to obtain reimbursement for Medicare patients with diabetes who test their blood-glucose frequently (the sickest patients).  Thus, single-payer reimbursement may tend to make the sickest stay the sickest, and drive more expensive downstream complications.

Also, for those with traditional Medicare and no supplemental insurance, the sickest must pay the most. Accordingly, self-rationing frequently occurs. Many private insurers (even those that offer Medicare plans) pay 100% of the cost of testing supplies and are not as stringent about those with more difficulty controlling their glucose levels (and subsequently testing more). The Government is in the process of reducing funding for those private Medicare plans (called Medicare Advantage plans).  Many of these plans reduce or eliminate the out-of-pocket for diabetic test strips, significant increasing the probability of better disease management.  This will ultimately lead to poorer control of diabetes for many.

Our belief is that universal coverage should be based upon an approach of decentralized insurance plans, providers, physician’s clinics, specialty hospitals, etc.   Broader coverage will increase demand, and provide opportunities for health care entrepreneurs to offer better, lower-cost, more effective service.   Imagine diabetics having coverage which allows them to go to a diabetes center which contains endocrinologists, kidney specialists, lifestyle and treatment trainers, dietitians, supplies providers, etc.  Think how this would ultimately reduce the extended costs of diabetes and other chronic diseases.

Online health-care records owned by the patient (and portable to any provider) would facilitate this decentralized approach. Online ratings/reviews similar to will-know online shopping sites will allow patients to choose the most effective (ultimately lower-cost) providers.  The online patient records will prevent duplicative or unnecessary testing, and make it easier for patients to exercise choice and vote for the best treatment with their feet.  Western Diabetic is working with the industry to provide glucometer systems with much-enhanced capabilities for on-line diabetes management data, which will be portable to any physician or clinic, or many at once.

In a move that we believe will be detrimental to both industry and patients, the government continues to steamroll the industry with planned National Competitive Bidding for durable medical equipment, including mail-order diabetic supplies. Previous false-starts have telegraphed the direction they are headed.  If so, this program will result in a huge reduction of available suppliers (many predict 90% will go out of business) and reimbursements reduced to such insane levels that only inferior and poor-quality diabetic test supplies will be available to recipients.  The program is moving forward apparently without fixing any of the conditions which will lead to these outcomes.

Patient choice, customer service, and product innovation (which has so greatly improved the outcomes for those with diabetes in recent years) will all be seriously compromised. We firmly believe that there will eventually be an increase in complications due to diabetes – blindness, loss-of-limbs, kidney damage, and more.  In addition to increasing suffering, this will ultimately increase the national costs due to diabetes.

We believe the time is now for concerned people to contact their legislators to weigh in on health care reform and to stop the National Competitive Bidding program for durable medical equipment, including diabetic supplies.

Western Diabetic Supplies provides blood glucose meters, diabetes test strips, insulin syringes, insulin pumps and supplies, and other associated diabetes items nationwide.

For information on Western Diabetic Supplies or nationwide Easy Home Delivery of supplies for diabetes testing and management, please call toll-free (877) 937-8342, e-mail customerservice@westerndiabetic.com, or visit http://www.westerndiabetic.com.

Cool – we’re on the radio

Jack Kahn, who does “It’s a Matter of Your Health” and “How To Avoid Medical Errors” radio shows, has been nice enough to feature Western Diabetic on several of his radio shows.  As soon as I figure out how to upload to mp3 files to wordpress, I’ll post a spot.  In the meantime, I’ll try to add to the company website:
at www.westerndiabetic.com

He talks about our easy home delivery, alternate site testing, and our talking glucometers.

Mike

Advocate Redicode and Prodigy Autocode Meters Gaining Popularity at Western Diabetic

The new breed of talking meters, which don’t require pricking of fintertips, require no coding, and use only the tiniest amount of blood, have proven popular beyond all expecations at Western Diabetic Supplies.  These meters/strips are extremely easy to use, and audibly speak the testing results to make it easy for anybody withe less perfect vision determine their blood sugar / glucose levels.

If you or anybody you know is interested in using one of these meters, please call us at 877-937-8342 , visit us at www.westerndiabetic.com, or e-mail us at customerservice@westerndiabetic.com.

These meters call also present blood glucose results in Spanish and have adjustable volume *(include off).

For those with diabetes who are totally blind, we have found the Prodigy Voice meter to be very popular.  The kits now include an audio CD to help patients learn how to use the meter to manage their diabetes.

We have also seen an increase in those who are using the Freestyle Lite meter, for those who prefer the large national brands.  The Freestyle Lite is one the few meters which actually requires less blood than the Prodigy Autocode and Advocate Redicode meters.

Western Diabetic Supplies added to the Devon Health Services National PPO Network

Western Diabetic Supplies is pleased to announce that we are continuing our steady expansion of coverage by being included by Devon Health Service, Inc in their National Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) network.  The Devon Health PPO network serves over 3 million people.  This allows Western Diabetic Supplies to offer our Easy Home Delivery of Diabetic Supplies to 3 million more people, thereby allowing more people to more easily manage their diabetes and reduce their risk of dangerous complications.

To see if your insurance covers Easy Home Deliveries of your diabetic supplies, please see our partial list of insurance plans accepted by Western Diabetic Supplies.

Western Diabetic Supplies’ Owner/President To Ride 100 miles For Tour de Cure To Prevent and Cure Diabetes

Dear friends, customers, and anybody else with an interest in curing diabetes:

I recently accepted the challenge of cycling in the American Diabetes Association’s Tour de Cure fund-raising event. The Tour de Cure is a series of cycling events held in over 80 cities nationwide. The Tour is a ride, not a race; it features different route lengths from a leisurely 10-mile course to a demanding 100-mile journey. I have joined thousands of others to pedal in support of the Association’s mission: to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes. I will be riding the 100-mile Century.

I am asking you to help by supporting my fund-raising efforts with a donation. Your tax-deductible gift will make a difference in the lives of more than 20 million Americans who suffer from diabetes and another 54 million people in the United States with pre-diabetes.

It’s fast and easy to support this great cause – you can make your donation online by selecting the “Click to Support Me” link below.

Any amount, great or small, helps in the fight against this deadly disease. I greatly appreciate your support and will keep you posted on my progress. If you want to do even more to help, please consider joining me in this great event. Our efforts will help set the pace in the fight against diabetes.

More information on the American Diabetes Association, its programs and diabetes in general can be found at the Association’s Web site: www.diabetes.org

For more information on Tour de Cure, please visit www.diabetes.org/tour.

Click here to visit my Tour de Cure personal page. This is where donations may be made

A sincere thanks to all of you.

Mike

Mike Walsh
President, Western Diabetic Supplies
www.WesternDiabetic.com

Western Diabetic Supplies Joins Beech Street PPO Network

Western Diabetic Supplies proudly announces that we have been accepted for participation as a Beech Street PPO network provider.  The Beech Street PPO network is a preferred-provider organization (PPO) which serves over 16 Million people nationwide.

This allows Western Diabetic to significantly expand our Easy Home Delivery of Diabetic Supplies to help many more people manage their diabetes and improve their long-term health.

For information on receiving diabetes testing supplies through our Easy Home Delivery mail order program, please call us toll-free at (877) 937-8342, or e-mail us at customerservice@westerndiabetic.com.

About Western Diabetic Supplies: Western Diabetic Supplies provides Easy Home Delivery of Diabetes Testing and Management Supplies. Supplies are provided through insurance coverage or cash. Experience Customer Service with no call-centers. Western Diabetic may be reached at pr@westerndiabetic.com; Ph (877) 937-8342; Fax (866) 808-3418. Please visit at http://www.westerndiabetic.com