In the latest edition of The Latest Stuff from Gerry, Dr. Gerry Clum, D.C, president of Life Chiropractic College West, shares his observations and poignant commentary about the recent health care reform.
This commentary reminded me of hearing him speak about the coming changes in health care, while speaking at Washington State Chiropractor’s Association convention, circa 2004. The presentation revolved around the baby boomers approaching retirement, and that cost controls were going to be an inevitable part of the health care equation.
His current views on the civility between Americans on a subject that has become so polarizing could not come at a better time.
The irony of the health care side of the deal is inescapable. People are worried about government being involved in their health care–if this is your view, back up and take another look at your world before this legislation was passed–consider:
* The U.S. government is the largest purchaser/provider of the health care in the world. Think Medicare, Medicaid, VA, Workers Compensation, Community Health Centers, etc.
* The majority of the funding for heath care education (other than for chiropractors) comes from the Federal and State governments. The VA alone provides training to the majority of medical and dental residents in the country.
* The drugs people consume and the medical devices people use are all approved by the FDA.The U.S. government before this legislation was the heart, if not also the soul of health care in America. I cannot offer you any prognostications as to what this legislation will bring to our country. I know what the past has brought us–62% of all U.S. personal bankruptcies have health care costs at their root. In the richest, most technologically advanced nation in the world, that is crazy.
I hope that some day I can express myself as well as he can, and feel very fortunate to have him as one of the main leaders of the chiropractic profession.
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