A Washington Panel Decides Healthcare Costs

The large debate over healthcare has been whether or not the nation should have more or less control over general medicine. In recent news, a panel in the state of Washington has decided what is covered and not covered by Medicare and Medicaid. In one case, Mr. Lamb argues that by administrating spinal shots, he is getting relief, but the panel is arguing that there is no definitive proof on its effects. Mr Lamb's exact words were:

“My life would be a living hell without these injections,” said Mr. Lamb, a 44-year-old carpenter from Lake Stevens, Wash., who was crushed between two trucks in 1996. “I don’t deserve to be sentenced by a committee to a life of agony.”

 People tend to become extremely emotional when certain individuals share their stories, but on a larger view, the money needed for all the necessary medical supplies, come from the taxpayer. It is the duty of the panel to sort out which cases are completely solid.

While all states, private insurers and the federal Medicareprogram decide what to cover, this state’s program is attracting nationwide attention, in part because its process is public and open. That provides a living laboratory of the complexities of applying evidence-based medicine, something that is becoming more common as a way to rein in health care costs.

Personally, I feel that the transition could go much smoother if more states were on board with converting to the new healthcare system. If citizens all gained healthcare and paid through taxes instead of individual coverage through HMO's, these small cases would be much small or nonexistent.