We attended a health care reform forum this week

We attended a health care reform forum this week. One of our local chiropractors has been hosting a series of what he calls transformational dialogues, and this was one of them. Nice idea. Rather than a battle between supporters and opponents of health care reform, the focus was on encouraging a thoughtful discussion about the important questions that need to be asked. Dr. Craig posed questions for the panel which included doctors, nurses, anthropologists and a health care policy advisor.

A few of the issues raised included: health care as a right vs. a privilege, how to reduce health care costs, how much profit should be involved in health care, and what drives the intense feelings on both sides of the issue.

Here are a few points that were made in addressing these issues:

• Canada spends half of what we do. We are ranked #37 and Canada is #3.


• A study in the New England Journal of Medicine of 6000 physicians representing every specialty reported 63% in favor of a strong public option, an additional 10% in favor of single payer. 


• In the 60s, the American Medical Association (AMA) fought hard against Medicare. The AMA represents only 25% of physicians. 


• Pharmaceutical companies spend only 13% of their money on research. They rely a great deal on government funded research.


• Only two countries in the world allow advertising of medications on television - the U.S. and New Zealand.