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From: doug@terak.UUCP (Doug Pardee)
Newsgroups: net.med
Subject: Re: DRG/HMOs and quality of Patient Care (provocative)
Message-ID: <228@terak.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 14-Dec-84 16:56:41 EST
Article-I.D.: terak.228
Posted: Fri Dec 14 16:56:41 1984
Date-Received: Sun, 16-Dec-84 06:30:39 EST
References: <1011@aecom.UUCP>
Distribution: net
Organization: Terak Corporation, Scottsdale, AZ, USA
Lines: 23

> 	In an effort to bring down the high cost of Health care, there has
> been a spread of HMOs (Health Maintenance Organizations) and reimbursement
> by DRGs (Diagnostic Related Groups).

What we have here is a very knotty problem.  The medical profession
(in its widest sense) has produced ever more safe, non-invasive
tests and safer treatments, and more thorough diagnostic procedures, all
of which can generally be considered to be beneficial to the patient.

The chances of complications from tests, side effects from treatments,
and results of misdiagnosis and consequent improper treatment are
able to be lowered considerably.

For a price.

I can't answer how much extra I would spend to buy safer, more
accurate tests and more sure treatment for myself.  I don't know
how anyone can presume to decide this issue for me.  That includes
legislatures, insurers, hospitals and doctors.

Sure wish I had an answer...

Doug Pardee -- Terak Corp. -- !{hao,ihnp4,decvax}!noao!terak!doug