Health News
'Excellence' centers no better for bariatric surgery (Reuters)Reuters - For weight-loss surgery, "Centers of Excellence" may not be any safer than their undistinguished peers, a study of 25 Michigan hospitals suggests.
Complications From Weight-Loss Surgery 'Relatively Low' (HealthDay)
HealthDay - TUESDAY, July 27 (HealthDay News) -- Weight-loss surgery, also known as bariatric surgery, in the state of Michigan has a relatively low rate of serious complications, a new study suggests.
Obesity fears inspire Mexican office exercises (AFP)
AFP - Mexico City government worker Agueda Galvan started stretching exercises out of fear of a heart attack, but also under an anti-obesity program introduced by her bosses.
New obesity compound shows promise in mice (Reuters)
Reuters - A compound similar to Sanofi-Aventis' once-promising weight loss drug Acomplia helped obese mice lose weight and lower their blood fats and blood sugar without causing psychological side effects, U.S. researchers said on Monday.
Study Explores Links Between Obesity and Chronic Pain (HealthDay)
HealthDay - MONDAY, July 26 (HealthDay News) -- Obesity and chronic pain are both linked with family history and mood disorders, a new study suggests.
Welcome to Dr. Fatteh's Blog
Happy New Year everyone! I thought it would be useful to get at least this physician's take on impending health care reform in this country. I find it amusing that many of my medical colleagues have been running for cover from these potential changes to the system. Perhaps they are fearful of not being able to afford that all-important third yacht. Nonetheless, with the Senate's approval of a new plan, to go with the House of Representatives' passage of their plan on November 1st, it appears that change is indeed right around the corner. Let's look at some of the particulars.
First, both plans have agreed to subsidize health insurance for a family of four making up to approximately $88,000 nationally. Both bills would expand Medicaid coverage to cover individuals making up to approximately $30,000 per year. Another useful feature of both plans is the creation of insurance exchanges, whereby small businesses, the self-employed, and the unemployed could purchase less expensive coverage by the pooling of resources. Both plans would limit total out-of-pocket expenses, and they would bar an insurer from charging higher premiums based on gender or medical history. And the most refreshing feature that I've seen so far: insurers would be unable to deny coverage for pre-existing conditions.
Now, all of that having been said, either of these plans will put a giant hole in our collective wallets. The Senate bill would cost $871 billion, while the House bill would reach $1 trillion in cost. While both plans would cost a lot, they differ as to how they would pay for the expanded coverage. The Senate bill would apply a 40% tax to companies that provide so-called "Cadillac" health plans, while the House plan would tax individuals with incomes over $500,000 and families with incomes greater than $1 million. Another negative would involve Medicare. The Senate bill would cut Medicare by approximately $500 billion, and it would increase Medicare taxes on families making over $250,000. Then there's the dreaded public option. The House plan would include a public option, while the Senate plan would create nonprofit private plans overseen by the federal government.
As you can see, this is a real mixed bag. And the two plans will have to be merged to everyone's satisfaction. Is anyone really happy about this potential package? The left has labeled it a failure without the public option. While, some on the right have called it a "monstrosity." But perhaps it is a good thing that there is such angst over this bill. Our great political machine, with its checks and balances, will churn and crank out this imperfect package. A package that many politicians can live with, but none will gush over. But with a current American health care system that is, in my opinion, truly broken, we need some package, any package, to help fix it. So I, for one, welcome this "monstrosity of a failure." I welcome it for the millions of un-insured Americans. For the millions who have to make our emergency rooms their primary care clinics. For the hoards of Americans who lose sleep every night as their children go without health coverage. For the many small business owners who can barely afford their overhead, let alone health coverage. This bill has just about completed its due process. It will have survived a highly politically charged process, from town hall meeting shouting matches, to pure partisan voting. It may be bitter medicine, with some side effects, but I say we'd best swallow this pill, because it's just what the doctor ordered. The alternative would just be more bad medicine.