Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/5/84; site terak.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!allegra!mit-eddie!godot!harvard!seismo!hao!noao!terak!doug 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