skip to main |
skip to sidebar
by AlexIn most healthcare systems that cover a basic benefit there are of course those treatments or services which are simply too expensive for average citizens to afford. When allocating services in these countries, certain questions must be answered. As Greg Mankiw explained on his blog, "But does that mean those of above-average income should be excluded as well? Should they lose basic benefits if they choose to pay for these marginal services with their own money?"
Moreover, Mankiw explains what the United States might have to address shortly, "Achieving both efficiency and equality in the provision of these goods [the treatments or services]is impossible. Dealing with this conflict will provide a major challenge to the political system in the years to come."
If you were at all interested, Greg Mankiw is an economist at Harvard University. You might have used his Economics 101 book in college.
by AlexHere is a primer article on "speciality" drugs from the New York Times. These expensive yet priceless drugs are in the middle of a growing market. Costs are increasing and more benefit managers (those companies that help negotiate drug prices for employer-plans) are getting into the business. Also, there might be a conflict of interest.The New York Times reports that an article will be published, explaining Merck's involvement in writing research reports in-house and then getting physicians to put there name under the title. Over the course of this semester, one of the main topics I have been studying is the pharmaceutical industry. I read earlier this year, on the blog Freakonomics, in a quorum with healthcare experts the same thing this article will highlight. You can read Dr. Harlan Krumholz, professor of medicine, epidemiology, and public health at Yale, take on the same practice and others here.The Wall Street Journal reports that the Massachusetts's General Court (their state legislature) is proposing to ban doctors from taking gifts from pharmaceutical industries. This is an interesting article, because it brings up a relatively new issue to hit the healthcare limelight. The issue is the relationship between doctors and pharmaceuticals. I read an article from the New England Journal of Medicine earlier this year which reported that 94% of physicians have some relationship with the pharmaceuticals. It could be free bagels or drug samples.
by AlexToday I hitched a ride with the telecommunication students on their final shot. We went to Ball State's Amelia Wood Health Center to film the introduction of our film. In the introduction, Laura briefs the audience on what is to come. The shot went well, even though Laura took like 25 takes. No...she actually did a really good job. It made it a little harder for her to speak because she was walking towards the camera at the same time.It's "crunch-time"!!! Only 12 days till the showcase at Cornerstone.
