Quote from Elisabeth Rosenthal

I FOUND THE QUOTE:

Imagine if you paid for an airplane ticket and the got separate and inscrutable bills from the airline, the pilot, the copilot, and the flight attendants.  That's how the healthcare market works.  In no other industry do prices for a product vary by a factor of ten depending on where it is purchased, as in the case for bills I've seen for echocardiograms, MRI scans, and blood tests to gauge thyroid function or vitamin D levels.  The price of a Prius at a dealership in Princeton, New Jersey is not five times higher than what you would pay for a Prius in Hackensack and a Prius in New Jersey is not twice as expensive as one in New Mexico.  The price of the car at the very same dealer doesn't depend on your employer, or if you're self-employed or unemployed.  Why does it matter for healthcare?    

Any thoughts??

Assignment 2: Research Proposal Ideas

According to the research assignment posted in Week 2 and on Assignments, start by posting your research proposal ideas on the blog first. Try to be somewhat focused. For example, it will be hard to write short 3-5 page research paper on mobile health, but if there is a particular focus on mobile health (e.g., nutrition, fitness), then that would be better.

You can see the research proposal (and links for ideas) on D2L/Assignments or here: https://d2l.arizona.edu/d2l/le/content/616523/viewContent/5351744/View

You can post your own research idea(s) with a title and links (by signing in and clicking New Post), or comment below.

I provided many links to research ideas on the assignment, but offering this jpg of other research ideas below to help. Look at the blog roll and links on the blog (though I include them on the assignment, too).  It's just a list to get you thinking. I didn't include everything; you can certainly use your own ideas.

Asking the Tough Moral Questions

The readings for next week ask tough moral questions, and there are many other useful links and readings that do the same. I'll start with some of these questions. We can respond in class, and perhaps more fully on the blog. (I also wanted to give you an idea of how I might ask questions at the beginning of class - based on the readings - and also on your thoughts about the topic.) This is a class that will ask more tough questions than we can answer, but by learning together, we will come to understand these issues with more knowledge and therefore have a better discussion with others.

In the prologue to T.R. Reid's book, he introduces the reader to Nikki White. "Nikki didn't die of lupus; it was a lack of access to healthcare that killed Nikki." Not everyone is covered, and in rural communities, where health insurance companies have all left, hospitals have closed. No insurance; no emergency rooms, no hospitals. Healthcare has become a commodity for those who can afford it, but even they complain of the costs they pay out of pocket.

The primary issue is a moral one: Should we guarantee medical treatment to everyone who needs it Here are some related questions to consider:

1. Do we have a moral obligation to provide healthcare to everyone as needed or is healthcare a commodity that should be subject to the same marketplace influences as other commodities?

2. Should employers be required by law to offer health insurance to employees?

3. Should everyone be required to have health insurance much as drivers are required to have auto insurance?

Welcome to Our Class Blog on Healthcare IS

The intent of the blog is to create a more dynamic dialogue about class topics, research proposals, posts, and comments to them.   Students will soon create their own blogs.

Hospitals, businesses, newspapers, digital magazines, and most websites use all use blogging technology. Getting feedback from readers in a sustained conversation without limiting the amount of text, with nested replies, likes and dislikes, and links, is one of the basic ways we read online.

Healthcare Organizations Have Blogs: The widespread use of blogging technology alone is reason enough to consider the implications for connecting with others in the healthcare field, including clinicians, patients, journalists and investigators, and many other members of the healthcare community.

Read Fresh and Thought-Provoking Material: The advantage to reading blogs is that you don't have to limit your reading to current news and blog entries that everyone else is reading. Attempt to find unexpected inspiration and new ways of viewing topics from alternative sources.

Blogs Don’t Need to be Balanced: Blogs are useful in conveying an opinion. Reader comments can provide alternative points of view and perhaps build a case for the opposing set of arguments. This is a good way to create a discussion online. If an entry is meant to influence readers, provide them with the best arguments for your opinion. This will convey passion. Balance does not mean provocative, but in its best form solicits new ideas.


QUESTIONS:  What is the difference between Facebook, Twitter, other social media, where you can reply or comment, and a blog?  Do you read blogs?  If so, which ones?