Jamie Sanderson: Health care myths
Last Updated on 3/16/2010
Published on 9/3/2009
As I walk the streets in Georgetown, I do go into the local shops, grocery stores and the like.
I keep hearing myths about health care reform spreading through the buildings and aisles. Specifically, the one about how government is going to "ration" health care.
Then it hit me like a ton of bricks. This state is actually going to do such a thing if a severe pandemic hits us.
I first caught wind of this on an 11 p.m. WPDE newscast.
"We found (we) had more work to do, DHEC does, particularly in dealing with scarcity of medical resources in a pandemic," said Dr. Phil Schneider, an emeritus bioethics professor at CCU and co-chair of the SC Pandemic Influenza Ethics Task Force.
"There's no point in putting treatment into a patient who will not benefit from it. Tough thing to say, but that's what we're going to be faced with in a full-fledged pandemic," Schneider said.
DHEC study
Yes. There is a 76-page DHEC study that suggests rationing health care in extreme cases.
In other words, the very same people who scare the elderly with what Democratic leaders "would" do has already discussed real plans to ration health care in a severe pandemic.
But, the truth is the government is not, I repeat, not going to decide.
"The doctors will have to decide who the sickest people are and who are the people who have the best chance to survive," Schneider said.
In other words, doctors will become "death panels" and you need not worry about government getting in the way, as the anti-reformers say.
I, for one, would rather government do as much as possible to prevent such a thing.
There should be no situation -- normal or severe -- that has such determination placed on care.
I should remind people, however, that this is not fear. This is truth.
But, you may ask, why? Here, I'll show you.
"A key component of battling influenza is ventilators. As of June, there were 1,284 ventilators in hospitals across the state," according to the task force.
WOW. And people still think health care reform doesn't need to happen.
Too few ventilators
That's a shame that so few life-saving devices are present in this state, the state where Republicans want you to believe that Democratic lawmakers want to "pull the plug" on Grandma.
Honestly, the GOP should tell those people we just don't have enough plugs to pull.
They should also figure out why health care providers do not have enough equipment to meet such demands for the state, again, in normal and severe conditions.
And then we get to the details on how you'll be judged in regards to receiving care or not in a severe situation
It'll be a test. That's right ... A test.
Through a series of testing, the patient will be given a score between 0-24. The higher the score, generally higher than 11, the closer one is to death and less likely they'll receive critical care, Schneider said.
"If we have two patients, one whose SOFA score is 18 (who's) 99% likely to die with whatever treatment they have, ventilator or not ... and a patient with a SOFA score of 4 who is very likely to survive if they can get the treatment with the ventilator, then the patient with the lower score will get the ventilator," Schneider explained.
The one who is refused the ventilator will be given palliative care where the treatment is focused on making "end of life" easier -- much like a hospice program.
Read that and let it sink in.
We already have the make-up of rationed health care by providers if we ever have a severe pandemic.
What's to say we won't experience that same rationing in a normal situation by the same people?
This is why we need such reform.
So, the truth is right in front of you.
It depends whether or not you want to ignore it.
Not only will doctors decide your fate, but you'll have to score on a test to get treatment.
I'll leave you with this quote.
Schneider said, "This is necessary. It's fair. It's evidence-based. It's not pleasant, but it's something our society has to cope with."
I wholeheartedly disagree.
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It's his 1st choice of drink, followed by Obama's "fresh" lemonade. Posted by on 9/13/2009 |
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I want to hear more about Jamie and the Kool-Aid, please. Posted by on 9/13/2009 |
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They continue to do a wonderful job of securing our southern border. Posted by on 9/11/2009 |
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Would one of these hand wringing liberals please inform the rest of us unwashed by naming ONE agency (except our Military and possibly the CIA), department, bureau, et al, that the federal government has or could run more effectively or efficiently than the private sector? Who do you think could get water, ice and food to hurricane victims the quickest: Wal-Mart or FEMA? The Department of Agriculture has more employees than there are farmers. Medicare is bad enough, and it’s going bankrupt. Someone would have to be either a moron or a socialist to want the government more involved in matters of our health. Posted by Ben Dover on 9/11/2009 |
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Brian who? And you call people nameless? Obama said Reverend Wright was his mentor, his pastor and his friend, he could no more disown him than he could disown his grandmother. Sitting under his mentorship for 20 years, listening to his anti American bigoted sermons and Obama had no idea he felt that way until the videos were exposed on National TV. Now there are three possiblities here #1. HE LIED....or #2. He has the worst case of selective memory I have ever seen....or #3. (This possibility is for you or anyone else to share with us) And please spare me the distraction line about digging up old news. The liberal media gave him a pass when he finally threw Rev. Wright under the bus and never challenged this unbelievable statement. Posted by Mike Goude on 9/10/2009 |
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I will make a phone call and make sure Jamie has all the medical equipment needed should a pandemic hit us. I guess he would be happy if there was a ventilator for every living person, I am sure that would bring health care cost down. Posted by on 9/10/2009 |
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Don, the point is quite evident. Be careful you don't get caught up in a severe pandemic in this state. Posted by Truthspeaker on 9/10/2009 |
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You nameless people can call Jamie a liar all you want. We know the truth, and you can't stand him professing it. What's so funny is that you all will never, ever call him one to his face. As much as I hate Joe Wilson, he at least did that, even though he's the liar, not Obama. Posted by Brian on 9/10/2009 |
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What is this fellow talking about? A pandemic or normal, run of the mill health care? Is he saying that the democrats will provide all the special medical equipment we will ever need, because the Republicans have been holding it back? (I guess that means one ventilator per person). Is he arguing that democrats and the government (FEMA) are more compassionate than our own Doctors? That we’ll get all this stuff, add 47 million more people to the system, trial lawyers still allowed to run amuck: and we do this all while reducing health care costs. I’m sorry, but that’s quite a stretch even for a bed-wetting lefty to believe. For anyone stupid enough to buy this garbage; I’ve got some great lots at Harmony you just have to look at. Aren’t these "compassionant" libs part of the same bunch that insisted on pulling the feeding tubes on that lady in Florida? Posted by Dr. Ben Dare on 9/8/2009 |
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I really don't know what to think about Mr. Sanderson's editorial. It didn't make sense on many levels. What is his point, that IF we have a pandemic there may not be enough ventilators for every sick person? Or, is his point that the Republicans are responsible for too few ventilators in South Carolina? Or, is his point that rationing healthcare is a myth? Or, is his point that the Federal Government in the current bills being spoken about in congress would never do what existing State Government documents show is discussed IF there is a pandemic? Or, is his point that we should institute rationing in everyday healthcare so that we will not be surprised IF we have a pandemic? Or, is Mr. Sanderson point that he does not understand triage testing (it's not one you study for)? Or, What ....? Like I said the editorial did not make sense to me on several levels. The artical seemed contrived and shallow. What does seem clear to me is that the proponants of the current bills in congress have weak arguments in favor of giving the Fedreal Government control of a huge portion of the economy, choices in heathcare, personal medical information, and the other unintended consequences hidden in this amount of legislation. It is not time to be a democratic partisan. We need the debate and discussion to be honest, open, and clear on both sides. And we need our elected representitives to listen to the people they represent. Posted by Don Glewwe on 9/7/2009 |
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Is the writer: 1) Confusing “Triage” with death panels? 2) Using the word “reform” when a more appropriate word would be “take over”? 3) Shouldn't he be looking for a job to support his family...and his large Kool-Aid habit? 4) If we end up with a limited amount of medical supplies and equipment; is this guy arguing that Government can do a better job distributing it than Doctors? 5) Shouldn’t he seriously consider moving his residence to a "Blue State" where Libs and Union thugs can live happily for ever after...and so can we. Posted by Duss Tinkin on 9/7/2009 |
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Jamie you should be out looking for a job instead of being on here all the time. The grass probaly needs to be cut in front of the union hall. Posted by on 9/7/2009 |
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There goes Wayne again saying that anyone that disagrees with obama is a racist! I dont have any "lifelong prejudices" against anyone except socialist trying to run the country into the ground. Tired of the same song wayne, just because we think the man is a liar doesnt mean we are prejudiced. I am not a member of the GOP, im not a racist, im not trying to hear a republican speak, im not misinformed or brainwashed I just dont like Obama and the mess he is trying to create. By the way since we are all nameless naysayers, what is your last name? Posted by on 9/7/2009 |
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He has lied so many times that people do not trust him anymore. If he wasnt a proven liar, things would be better for him and people might listen to him a little more, fat chance of that happening now though. Posted by on 9/7/2009 |
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Jamie Sanderson, Never mind the comments from "too scared to type their name" naysayers below. [They are confused and probably don't know it anyway]. The naysayers are expected. Many live in a dream world. To "them" John Mccain is president and BHO is a specter that ruined the lifelong prejudices they thought were true. Their brain is filled with GOP noise (I should know -- I was once one of them) and when faced with information that runs counter to logic they give push-back and become irrational. Fox News and the GOP right wing-nuts have them so confused. You see the incoherent rambling at townhall meetings. Keep up the good work Jamie and Lee-- providing insightful information to those of us who still have a brain and a heart...and are not walking around angry, bitter and hating life. Posted by Wayne on 9/7/2009 |
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Jamie, you have lied so many times that it is hard for anyone to take you seriously. You did it to yourself, we didnt make you lie. The "G'town Democrat" is telling the truth today-what? No way the G'town Democrat doesnt ever tell the truth on a day that ends in Y. Posted by on 9/7/2009 |
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Jamie, unfortunately you, me or anyone else who aims to defend Obama and some of the policies are going to chastised. This man, who many had high hopes for, has proved less than. He has surrounded himself in the past with characters of muddy credentials and he still continues to do so. He is allowing Nancy Pelosi (who I deem to be the scariest politician ever) to control and dictate. He spoke of healing the divide and turned around after the election and basically wagged his finger at Repubs and said NA NA NA we won, we will do everything our way. Bipartisanship obviously was never part of his (and Pelosi's) game plan. I was a skeptical Democrat who ended up voting for McCain because in good conscience anyone who is in bed with Nancy is someone to be scared of. I applaud your efforts to get your truth out, but me thinks it falls on deaf ears. A disillusioned Democrat rethinking party affiliation. Posted by Lee Padgett on 9/6/2009 |
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Wow. Truth is pointed out and people with no names attack the messenger. Now that's comical. Posted by Jamie's Friend Greg on 9/6/2009 |
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I really don't understand why the paper encourages people like Jamie to write. I guess it takes the place of the comics? Posted by on 9/5/2009 |
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Ye have little room to write, Ghostwriter... Such funny people trying to attack Jamie Sanderson with no-name comedy material. Thanks for the laughs. Posted by Steve on 9/4/2009 |
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Maybe Jamie can create some more fake names and stories about being a retired person and type more lies about people on this site and the other largest site in Georgetown. Posted by on 9/4/2009 |
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"the Republicans said it was science fiction so it was cut out the bill." WOW.... being the ignored minority, we seem to have a lot of power all of a sudden. This "blame it in the Republicans" game is getting a little old and boring. Your time would be better spent telling your "Ruling Party" to pass the bills and forget about all those dissenting citizens since they are all angry partisan racist Republicans anyway. If the ends justify the means, pass the health care reform bill or is it the health insurance reform bill? You and the other libs would do well to get your liberal buddy "tax cheats" off the committees that make tax laws that we have to adhere to while they get a pass. You would also do well to tell the Obama administration to screen your "czars" a little better. This 9/11 conspiracy thing Mr. Van Jones signed onto doesn't speak well for his judgement. Well I don't want to be accused of writing a book so I'll close with this chapter and let you determine the length of next one. Posted by Mike Goude on 9/4/2009 |
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Quit trying to be a politican, you tried it and failed. You couldnt even lead the G'town democrap party,so we all know who is ignorant. Posted by on 9/4/2009 |
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And you show your ignorance of the facts I laid out with respect to rationed care being offered in S.C. because of minimal supply of life-saving devices. It's one thing to claim a myth, it's another to have 76 pages of truth. Why not ask your GOPers who lead this state the real question of why there are so few ventilators per capita in S.C.? The original stimulus bill included a billion dollars of pandemic preparedness, but the Republicans said it was science fiction, so it was cut out of the bill. Posted by Jamie Sanderson on 9/4/2009 |
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I will take 2 of whatever you are smoking you wanna be politican. Quit blaming the GOP, you show your true ignorance every time you do. If you want the gov to control your health care that is fine, but many people-Dems and Reps do NOT.Learn to live with it buddy. Posted by on 9/3/2009 |
