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A good friend, who actually lived through the experience, notes that the VA is, in fact, socialized medicine, with all the rights and privileges thereunto appertaining.

Such as this (via Stephen Miller) from McPaper:

"VA knowingly hires doctors with past malpractice claims, discipline for poor care ... [Schneider]  was forthright in his application about the license revocation and other malpractice troubles.But the VA hired him anyway."

Yay team!

But wait, it gets better (for certain values of "better"):

"A VA hospital in Oklahoma knowingly hired a psychiatrist previously sanctioned for sexual misconduct who went on to sleep with a VA patient"

Talk about a purple heart.

But yeah, Single Payer (the explicit end-goal of ObamaCare) is gonna be great.

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Our friend Rich W alerts us to the latest CanuckCare news, and it's not pretty:

"Waiting for treatment has become a defining characteristic of Canadian health care ... waiting times for medically necessary treatment have in-creased since last year."

That last part is important because, unlike elective procedures, medically necessary treatment indicates a certain sense of urgency. And in the case of our Neighbors to the North, there are really two distinct factors at work:

First, "[fr]rom referral by a general practitioner to consultation with a specialist. The waiting time in this segment increased from 9.4 weeks in 2016 to 10.2 weeks this year." This would be potentially life-threatening; what if that referral was to an oncologist?

And second, "[f]rom the consultation with a specialist to the point at which the patient receives treatment. " Again, if chemo and/or radiation is called for, this can mean the difference between a few days versus years of life.

And, of course, the same would hold true for someone with, for example, an acute heart condition.

And it's not just treatment that's getting backburnered:

"Patients also experience significant waiting times for various diagnostic technologies."

These include what we'd consider fairly routine things like CT scans and MRI's, as well as ultrasounds, which could help detect potential issues in the baby.

The point, of course, is that single-payer medicine (the stated end-goal of ObamaCare) isn't the panacea its proponents tout it to be.

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It was bound to happen:

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Britain's Much Vaunted National Health System© has long been touted as the quintessential model of government-run, single-payer health "care." Today we offer two more shining examples of how that's working out.

First up,via FoIB Dr Gerard G, a lesson in how the MVNHS© manages to rein in run-away health care costs:

"Now NHS prepares to ration painkillers and routine operations: Bosses drawn guidelines after getting only a third of the money they asked for in the Budget"

That's really the fundamental problem with this kind of system: there's only so much supply to meet pent-up demand. As co-blogger Bob noted some time ago:

"The economics of goods and services can be reduced to simple demand and supply. Health care is no different ... Health care is also inelastic."

That is, one could substitute tea for coffee (for example), but there really isn't a substitute for health care. Sure, one could probably make do with an extra ibuprofen versus that codeine, but what's the stand-in for hip replacement?

Our second lesson comes courtesy of FoIB Rich W, who found this tragedy:

"Hospital apologises after pregnant teenager was turned away from hospital by midwife who blasted her for using an ambulance as ‘a taxi’ – just hours before her baby died."

Talk about compassionate care.

Fortunately, the hospital "was forced to apologise;" I'm sure that went a long way toward helping the young couple's healing process.

Good thing she didn't need that epidural.

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#ACAWinning!

[click to embiggen] 

For perspective, that translates to over $21,000 before the plan pays anything (well, except for free birth control and such). So again, going bare is no longer such an irrational response.

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Our favorite elf (and HWR co-founder), Julie Ferguson, hosts this week's holiday-themed roundup of health care wonkery and policy.

Enjoy!

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Our friend Emily J at PuroClean ("The Paramedics of Property Damage") has some timely suggestions for IB readers:

The Complete Guide to Winterizing your Home

Now is the perfect time to prepare your home for the colder weather. Winterizing your home with the tips below are simple and easy. The longer you wait the more damage could possibly erupt with old man winter cold air rolls in.

Interior

• Furnace: When it comes to your heating system take the time to do a test run to make sure everything is working properly set to 80 degrees, listen for the furnace to turn on and wait for the warm air to blow. If it isn’t running properly, contact your local qualified service technician.
• Furnace Filters: Dirty filters can restrict airflow and boost energy demand. To extend the life of your furnace and keep costs low change furnace filters monthly.
• Preventing Freezing Pipes: Drain water from swimming pools and water sprinklers. Replace exterior faucets with freeze-proof faucets. Look for pipes that are vulnerable for freezing, pipes located by cracks or openings in walls, floors and ceilings. For pipes at risk for freezing consider installing specific products made to insulate water pipes like a "pipe sleeve" or installing UL-listed "heat tape," "heat cable," or similar materials on exposed water pipes. Keep the faucet on a trickle, cabinets open for warm air to circulate and if there are water supply lines in the garage keep the garage closed.  
• Thawing Pipes: Keep the faucet open for water to trickle out as you treat the frozen pipes, apply heat to the section of pipe using a electric heating pad, hair dryer or a space heater. Apply heat until the water pressure is fully restored, if you can not find the frozen section call a licensed plumber. If a pipe bursts or a water leak occurs, turn off your water shut-off valve and call your local service contractor..
• Air Ducts: Debris in air ducts can cause heating bills to rise. Get air ducts professionally cleaned by your local service contrator.
• Water Heater: Consider having your water heater flushed once a year.   
• Sump Pump: Test your sump pump to make sure it’s working properly.
• Home Detectors: Replace the batteries and test your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
• Put up some Plastic: A cheap alternative to prevent old drafty windows is buying a cheap window insulation kit at your local hardware store. This will help keep your home warm and your energy bills low.
• Fire Place: Clean and prepare your fire place and chimney. Make sure the chimney is clear of any nests from birds, squirrels or other animals. Inspect the fire brick in the fireplace, repair any mortar joint, a fire can spread into the stud wall behind the masonry fire brick.

Exterior

• Gutters: Clean gutters and downspouts to make sure both are free of leaves and debris, allowing water to flow properly. Clogged gutters are one of the major causes of ice dams. Replace old or damaged gutters with new ones that have built-in leaf guards.
• Roof: Inspect roof for shingles that are curling, missing, or broken.
• Seal up cracks and gaps: Be sure to caulk or weather strip around windows and door frames to prevent heat from escaping.  “Caulking and sealing openings is one of the least expensive maintenance jobs,” says Michael Hydeck, President of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI). “Openings in the structure can cause water to get in and freeze, resulting in cracks and mold buildup,” he says.
• Air Conditioner: Cover air conditioning unit outside to prevent debris from entering the system.
• Outdoor Furniture: Cover and store outdoor furniture.
• Yard Equipment: Clean up yard equipment.
• Water Hose: Blow out and store your hoses to prevent damage. Winterize outdoor faucets and spigots to prevent freezing pipes.
• Check for Peeling Paint: Peeling paint is a sign that existing paint is failing and can no longer protect the siding of the building which will deteriorate if not corrected.
• Yard: Rake leaves, trim trees and bushes.

 Always try to buy a snow shovel, salt, extra water, canned goods and other winter supplies before nasty weather hits.

Thanks, Emily!

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