Debbie Reid
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Healthcare outcomes what the Pandemic

and healthcare costs have become critical to the Healthcare consumer. Healthcare does not need to be expensive. Doctors and nurses aren't costly. Doctors-owned surgery centers are not expensive. But the Healthcare Systems and their facilities are.
In 2011, the American voter's support passed a law to prohibit doctors from owning hospitals?

Did the voters know what we were signing up for by taking this action? According to polls, 60% of us were aware of the law and thought it was a good idea. Centered around the Affordable Care Act, and this is where we are:

"Section 6001 of the Affordable Care Act of 2010 amended section 1877 of the Social Security Act to impose additional requirements for physician-owned hospitals to qualify for the whole Hospital and rural provider exceptions. A physician-owned hospital is now generally prohibited from expanding facility capacity."

Combine the Affordable Care Act with the Stark law. With the government in complete charge of its delivery, along with the high cost of its delivery. Healthcare is now doomed.

Under the Stark Law was enacted as part of the Social Security Act in 1989. It applies to all U.S. health care providers, including hospitals, nursing homes, home health agencies, dialysis centers, laboratories, pharmacies, etc. Our law also restricts what can be done concerning patient referrals by pharmacists and other healthcare professionals paid on a fee-for-service basis.

"The Stark Law was enacted by Congress in 1989 as the Ethics in Patient Referrals Act. The initial intent was to prohibit physicians from referring Medicare patients to clinical labs in which the physician had some financial relationship, including an ownership interest."

What Has Happened to Get Us Here?

How did we get to this point? I am just a nurse who has practiced in the world of Healthcare over the last thirty years. I will tell you that in my lifetime, my observations are this. 

Not all physician-owned hospitals were necessarily the best in town over the years. (I am not talking about Surgical Centers here). But neither are many of the big-box corporate hospitals. However, competition would help correct this, and hospitals would continue to improve or fail. Thus the argument of free-market Healthcare.

Healthcare has been spiraling for some time. We are at the mercy of the federal government, the major hospital systems, and the pandemic: all government mandates, laws, and Medicare guidelines combined with the big pharma and insurance carriers. We are paying too much for Healthcare.

Herded like sheep, here we are, the healthcare consumer.

  1. Hospitals making money
  2. Insurance Companies protecting their money
  3. Both bill and pay on their terms
  4. Healthcare Consumer' wallet is at their mercy.

Both hospitals and insurance companies are there to make money for their shareholders.

How many "rich doctors" have you met? (Be honest, not talking about the Hollywood plastic surgeon or one that has maybe patented something and made tons of money) I am talking about the well-paid Doctor after years of education and hard work.
While some make a handsome living, I will say that while taking care of people and saving lives. Many hospital executives make much more than that—six-figure salaries combined with six-figure bonuses.

We are leading to much of my anger and frustrations with the current state of our Healthcare. But unfortunately, we, the people, have let this happen.

For as long as I have been in Healthcare, I have seen trends and watched healthcare transform—the narratives that have gotten us to this point, not the whole story.

Over the past several years, more and more doctors have given to these hospital corporations and systems, giving up their autonomy. Nothing more than the employee that must comply with the boss's wishes.

They are now chained to corporate policies and rules, which have now included how they practice medicine over the last two years, too often to the detriment of the patient. Thus the added layer of my anger.

Hospitals have resorted to ignoring court rulings and banning doctors from their staff because they questioned protocols and asked questions.

In my early years, the Hippocratic Oath was honored; however, research has shown me that certain parties insistence on rewriting or getting rid of altogether like the Constitution. There are several renditions, and only 43% of medical schools revere the Oath. 

Here is the 2017 version of the Hippocratic Oath

  • "I SOLEMNLY PLEDGE to dedicate my life to the service of humanity;
  • THE HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF MY PATIENT will be my first consideration;
  • I WILL RESPECT the autonomy and dignity of my patient;
  • I WILL MAINTAIN the utmost respect for human life;
  • I WILL NOT PERMIT considerations of age, disease or disability, creed, ethnic origin, gender, nationality, political affiliation, race, sexual orientation, social standing, or any other factor to intervene between my duty and my patient;
  • I WILL RESPECT the secrets that are confided in me, even after the patient has died;
  • I WILL PRACTISE my profession with conscience and dignity and in accordance with good medical practice;
  • I WILL FOSTER the honor and noble traditions of the medical profession;
  • I WILL GIVE to my teachers, colleagues, and students the respect and gratitude that is their due;
  • I WILL SHARE my medical knowledge for the benefit of the patient and the advancement of Healthcare;
  • I WILL ATTEND TO my own Health, well-being, and abilities in order to provide care of the highest standard;
  • I WILL NOT USE my medical knowledge to violate human rights and civil liberties, even under threat;
  • I MAKE THESE PROMISES solemnly, freely, and upon my honor.".

Neither Hospital nor Doctor should not harm. I am sure many of us have heard about various situations that have transpired. One particular I will address. Making the headlines back in November 2021, a Houston hospital suspended a doctor for "vaccine misinformation."

This large Healthcare System claims to be many things, including an excellent teaching and research facility. Sadly when I read their Mission statement and values. The Hospital is a church-affiliated, not-for-profit entity.

Here is what they claim:

Each Hospital is staffed by committed personnel who exemplify our I CARE values: integrity, compassion, accountability, respect and excellence. Patient safety, quality and service are our highest priorities.

OUR VALUES

Integrity

We are honest and ethical in all we say and do.

 Compassion

We embrace the whole person and respond to emotional, ethical, and spiritual concerns as well as physical needs.

Accountability

We hold ourselves accountable for our actions.

Respect

We treat every individual as a person of worth, dignity and value.

Excellence

We strive to be the best at what we do and a model for others to emulate. 

Now you can go to just about any hospital website and read similar words. But the events that transpired and their actions are what is in question here. Reading the Hippocratic Oath and the Hospital's actions, the Hospital went against everything.

Ironically, when I looked up the website, I went to the wrong hospital site and found this statement:

 "Texas law prohibits hospitals from practicing medicine. The physicians on the Methodist Health System medical staff are independent practitioners who are not employees or agents."

While I am not a lawyer, I am struggling to understand. So this COVID Protocol has, in my opinion, put hospitals in the front and center of practicing medicine. Am I wrong? 

I respect patient care and safety. Yes, hospitals have policies and procedures. We have the Medicare guidelines, quality measures, and so on. We all understand that we have the current administration and players like Fauci to thank.

Consider this when a patient goes to court to get an "alternative therapy" after the "PROTOCOL" fails. In one case, in particular, the patient was refusing the Remdesivir treatment. Which, more than likely, why he was still alive. Regardless of the exact situation, whether or not the Remdesivir was tried. Let's say it was. My argument is simply this, if the treatment isn't working, try something else.

We Should Have Access To  Alternative Therapy

We do this all of the time. If one medication doesn't work, we try a different one. What has Healthcare become? What are they so afraid of?
Why are they so willing to let people die? This is America; we are far better than this. At least we were!

I am proud of the Doctor for standing up to her principles and commitment to care for her patients. She has cared for many COVID patients, and because of her success, the Hospital finds fault.

Between the Vax mandate and the protocols and being older, I have no plans to return to mainstream Healthcare. I am dedicating our business to helping Healthcare consumers find a better path for their Healthcare and how they get care.

We, the American people, have been sucked into the vortex of the great business of Healthcare. I can not stress enough how much you are overspending on your Health.

Starting back as far as 1912, the National Convention of Insurance Commissioners develops the first model of state law for regulating health insurance. At the same time, the Progressives started endorsing socialized Healthcare.

Here is the link to the Timeline: History of Health Reform in the U.S. I will not bore you with the history. Please read it for yourself. I go into depth in one of our Healthitude Academy Courses. The point in this article is this.

The Crossroads to Healthcare!

We have come to the crossroads in our Healthcare that we need to decide. In general, I see that we have become passive and complacent.
Combine that with the government's inability actually to fix Healthcare.

Most of the Congress and senators I have spoken to present lip service but don't listen. They have far too much invested in their position. Why would they listen to those that voted them into office? President Trump was starting to address Healthcare. He made some significant contributions.

As FreeMarket Healthcare continues to take shape and evolve. Several other things need to happen.

Direct Primary Care and the Outpatient services honor the FreeMarket fee-for-service model and the tremendous free-standing surgery centers.
There are other Specialists as well that embrace the free-market model.

However, this group is beholding to the hospital groups for emergencies and significant medical events. Some hospitals do well with the model and take a reasonable fee for service payments, while others do not.

Instead of the big box hospital corporations buying up each other. I envision having some co-op facilities where the free market could flourish. Because of the current laws on the books, these great physicians' hands are tied and unable to own and operate such facilities.

I have some thoughts on how to bring the free-market full circle and have facilities that flourish in the free market—making it a win for all.

Healthcare consumers,
need to stop being complacent and expecting our employers to supply us with our healthcare coverage. And instead, embrace change and the better alternatives that are out there.

Is planning and making the better choice easy? No, but the rewards are great. I encourage you to watch the film Healthcare Unmask. I re-watched it last night. You can find it on Amazon or Netflix. Here is the trailer.
It came out in 2018. If you don't have Netflix, the rental of 99 cents on Amazon is worth it.

I can stress enough we need to rethink how we spend and pay for our Healthcare. Remember what I said you are spending too much on Healthcare. On many levels, we need to take our Health back. I encourage you to reach out and let us assist you with your healthcare needs and the options you have.

What Can We Do?

I have a great course that goes over all consumers' pitfalls when seeking care, treatment, surgery, and more. If I had a quarter for every time, I heard, "I have insurance." Like it was going to take care of you.

Those ready to stand up to the Major Hospital Corporations, the Pharmaceutical Industry, and the insurance companies. I encourage you to contact us. Otherwise, subscribe and follow us as we continue to inform.

I will be starting a series to info you just what is happening with our Healthcare. Stay tuned here for more posts and on my channel on Gab.

Please share your thoughts and concerns.
And for a bit of humor, that does explain the insurance experience. Enjoy!

About the Author Debbie Reid


Nurse for many 25+ years, Experienced Medical Bill Auditor, Life Coach. Extensive knowledge and experience with saving money on Healthcare!

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