Fewer cardiac arrests after Affordable Care Act expanded coverage

[GrouchoTex]

Dickens and Brooks.  Are they that new C&W group that plays both kinds of music...Country and Western?

Come to think of it , since there are fewer cardiac arrest that sounds like a good thing.
Arrest should be down.
I , however, have never been arrested for cardiac.
Is it a felony or a misdemeanor?
Is it a just a fine, or do you send time in the hoosegow?

[Smokin Joe]

Come to think of it , since there are fewer cardiac arrest that sounds like a good thing.
Arrest should be down.
I , however, have never been arrested for cardiac.
Is it a felony or a misdemeanor?
Is it a just a fine, or do you send time in the hoosegow?

Well, if'n you ain't got a cardiac, the more you miss it the meaner you'll get.

[IsailedawayfromFR]

My opinion is that is more damaging in the long run.  It teaches people not to value their own health, it is someone else's responsibility to pay for all of it.

Educating people to create and use health savings accounts makes people more proactive about their health care, and puts competition into play to reduce costs.  No cost to the user ALWAYS results in cost running up out of control, resulting in the problems we already have.

Let's compare the mortality rates of Communist countries and the non-Communist countries.

See any of the Commie countries that best us?

http://www.worldlifeexpectancy.com/cause-of-death/coronary-heart-disease/by-country/

[INVAR]

Dickens and Brooks.  Are they that new C&W group that plays both kinds of music...Country and Western?

We are attempting to classify the new genre, but it appears to be a combination of Hip-Hop piano ragtime with a bit of Mongo Von Schtupp.

The group says they are "Only pawn in game of Charts".

[rodamala]

Not necessarily.   A key philosophical point behind the ACA's design is to eliminate co-pays and deductibles for preventive services - on the theory that it is ultimately less expensive to treat disease before it becomes lethal and requires drastic measures.    All the noise has been with respect to the ACA's coverage of contraceptives,  but the value of preventive care with no financial barrier to access extends to all kinds of potentially expensive-to-treat conditions, such as diabetes and, as here, cardiac issues. 

There may be other factors at work here as well.   If one has insurance, one is in a position to establish a relationship with a primary care physician - and it is widely believed that having an ongoing relationship with a doctor is a factor in promoting good health.   The ability to call up a doctor who knows your medical history when you have symptoms of heart disease has got to be a good thing.   

 Another recent phenomenon is the rise of walk-in clinics.  They seem to be everywhere in Philadelphia,  and I've used them when because they're utterly convenient when, say, you need an anti-biotic to deal with a toothache or minor surgery such as the draining of a cyst that makes walking painful. 

Bottom line is that having good health insurance is a good thing - for you, and more broadly for the nation if everyone gets more attuned to good health habits and prevention.   The need to reform the ACA shouldn't blind you to the good things that comprehensive health insurance, including low-cost coverage of preventive services,  can provide.   Heck, even the peace of mind of having good insurance can reduce stress and, indirectly, keep people healthier.

[rodamala]

After30+ years in medicine (or any science) one thing you realize is you can manipulate data to show almost any outcome you want.

@Mom MD