The Era Of Health Care Rationing Begins

IBD Editorials ^ | September 15, 2010 | SALLY C. PIPES

[Kaslin]

Supporters of health reform said it would never happen. Maybe they got caught up in their own rhetoric. Maybe they just didn't want to believe it was possible. But rationing in America has started.

This week, the Food and Drug Administration is expected to revoke approval of the drug Avastin for the treatment of advanced breast cancer. Louisiana Republican Sen. David Vitter has described the anticipated move as "the beginning of a slippery slope leading to more and more rationing under the government takeover of health care."

It seems that even loyal Democrats have noticed the Obama administration's not-so-subtle policy shift toward rationing. According to Politico, many of the 34 House Democrats who voted against the health reform bill are aggressively touting their "no" votes in campaign ads.

The FDA claims its decision won't be based on cost, but Avastin isn't cheap — a full regimen costs about $100,000 a year.

Jean Grem of the FDA's Oncology Drug Advisory Committee was cited in the Wall Street Journal explaining why she voted to deprive breast-cancer patients of Avastin: "We aren't supposed to talk about cost, but that's another issue."

[Celtic Cross]

Then let it begin...

[webboy45]

Avastin was never shown to be effective against breast cancer. In particular there was no extension of life for those who took the drug over those who didn't. Avastin was approved for breast cancer by the former head of the FDA, against the recommendation of the authorization committee. He then quit and to a job with the manufacturer of the drug.

[Viking2002]

Or not. My gall bladder went south on me last week, and it's still gonna be another week before I get to see a surgeon. If MandingoCare spreads like a cancer, I'd hate to think what the wait would be like. At least my doc sprung for a hundred hydrocodone while I'm waiting.

"But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: for men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away, for his name is Obama."

[Aevery_Freeman]

It is almost unbelievable that Obama would remove a drug that benefits acute breast cancer patients.

He is, in the same sense that Clinton was the first black president, the first woman president .

[lovesdogs]

Lots of things are starting with obamacare. I just went to the Dr today and got a new form that HHS is requiring of them. My doc explained that they a choice of about 50 questions and they had to ask 20 (ballpark). She told me that the questions they rejected were far more invasive than what I was asked. Believe me, I was fit to be tied.

Among the questions they asked:

Does anyone in your family behave in an abusive way?
Do you always use your seat belts?
Is there a gun in your home?

I really like my doc and she explained exactly what was going on and told me that I was not required to answer the questions (like that was ever going to happen). I asked why the front desk does not point that out from the beginning and she said they are not allowed to do that.

Now also on that form are questions like do you ever feel confused, forgetful, feel hopeless, feel down and the like. Can you connect the dots? Potentially depressed and or on the cusp of dementia patients...should they have guns? 35% of Americans who own guns report symptoms of these conditions. Good Lord, the MSM copy writes itself if people do not crumple up this form and toss it in the wastebasket.

[dynachrome]

sorry to hear that. My mom just had hers out this year. No fun, but she recovered well. (80 years old)

[Aevery_Freeman]

Source?

[Viking2002]

Thanks. I don't know what's worse - the pain, or the old lady badgering me with her know-it-all-itude. I told her, thank God she never became a nurse. Her patients would all just kill themselves. And she had hers out five years ago, the hypocrite.

"But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: for men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away, for his name is Obama."

[GailA]

[dynachrome]

LOL. She can coach you thru it then!

[Aevery_Freeman]

Prayers up for you, my man. Love your avatar (Vikings fan here).

Be careful with the narcotics.

[Kaslin]

I am beyond words

[Viking2002]

If she doesn't quit rattling my cage, she might not see daylight that long. LOL

"But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: for men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away, for his name is Obama."

[nascarnation]

Back in the old days when I had mine out (77) they had to cut a bunch of stomach muscles and it took a good while to recover.

Now they go in with a golf ball retreiver and you’re back to speed in a couple days.

Good luck with it.

[Celtic Cross]

What I don't understand is, with the citizens of America so clearly against it, why hasn't Obamacare been repealed already!

Hope you're gall bladder recovers.

[Viking2002]

Thanks. I tried to supplement them with Advil, but that's not cutting it. Even worse, I just shelled out half a grand to the vet because one of my dogs went into renal failure Labor Day weekend, so it ain't been a fun time here at the Viking Lodge this week. I asked my wife, who did I piss off so badly that they not only went after me, but are taking out on my dog as well? LOL

"But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: for men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away, for his name is Obama."

[CaliforniaCon]

RE: “Avastin was never shown to be effective against breast cancer. In particular there was no extension of life for those who took the drug over those who didn’t. Avastin was approved for breast cancer by the former head of the FDA, against the recommendation of the authorization committee. He then quit and to a job with the manufacturer of the drug.”

**************

My relative was given Avastin for colon cancer — it helped for a time — never have heard of its use for breast cancer though.........

[Psalm 144]

Understand his opposition to BAIPA, and you will understand Obama.

[CaliforniaCon]

RE: “Thanks. I don’t know what’s worse - the pain, or the old lady badgering me with her know-it-all-itude. I told her, thank God she never became a nurse. Her patients would all just kill themselves. And she had hers out five years ago, the hypocrite”

******************

Gall bladder problems — blecchh —— Had mine out six years ago in mid fifties and let me tell you — the surgery and recovery were a breeze, BUT look out for many and varied after effects — you will not be able to eat what you want, most likely, without problems == you may well have ‘post-chole syndrome’ even years later. Look that up — people end up with pancreatitis and all sorts of horrors. I’m not kidding — the pains I get now on occasion are as bad as when I had the GB. Make them level with you about all of this — most docs won’t — look it up on the internet. More than half a million GBs are removed every year and many many times that is NOT the end of the problem.

For the record, the older people are (as in 80 years old), the better they do for unknown reasons. I’m not saying don’t have it out, but don’t be shocked if you don’t feel perfect all the time as a result — you could still have problems down the road, sorry to say.

Good luck.