One doesn’t have to be a supporter of Obamacare to think that we are given endless, pointless tests. Americans just love invasive procedures. How have these driven up the cost of healthcare?
I completely agree.
Way too many tests.
As I get older my opinions on doctors, hospitals, dentists, and veterinarians are changing.
If you are sick (and humans know when they are) go get help if you want it.
Take care of yourself.
Many of these tests, prescription drugs, and “treatments” are money making scams.
I agree with you as well. The revision of invasive medical practices is not always related to the downgrading of medicine in government health care. U.S. Preventive medical care and testing has really gotten out of hand and causing needless invasive procedures. Some excellent books in this area are written by Dr. H. Gilbert Welch - professor of medicine at the Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice, who is a co-author of “Overdiagnosed: Making People Sick in the Pursuit of Health.”
Essay by him in NY TIMES -
Testing Standard Medical Practices
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/20/opinion/testing-standard-medical-practices.html?_r=0
Also author, Should I be Tested for Cancer?
http://www.amazon.com/Should-Be-Tested-Cancer-Maybe/dp/0520248368
It's a reasonable thing to ask exactly who is gaining the greatest benefit from many routine medical screening procedures. Is it the patient? Or the hospital, imaging center, laboratory, and the doctor?