Chesapeake Care, a nonprofit clinic that treated more than 2,100 people last year, does amazing work on a tiny budget. The free clinic can offer so much help to so many people because 275 medical and dental practitioners volunteer their time and talents.
Dr. Juan Montero's dream became a reality in 1992, and officials now plan to expand the center on South Military Highway. For many communities, however, such a clinic would be a fantasy. Nor can this model provide primary care for the millions of people who lack health insurance across the country.
That's why recent comments by Rep. Randy Forbes of Chesapeake were a bit puzzling. The Republican congressman, a supporter of the clinic, opposes President Barack Obama's proposals to overhaul health care. He argues that federal laws need to be revised to limit malpractice awards and to give tax breaks to doctors who volunteer at such centers.
Forbes also said federal officials should do more to help places like Chesapeake Care. Such moves, while important, can do little to solve the larger problem of an estimated 46 million people without health insurance in America.
Depending on the figures used, medical malpractice makes up about 2 percent of health care spending, according to a 2004 report by the Congressional Budget Office. Doctors and hospitals do often order unnecessary tests and procedures to lower medical liability. Earlier this month, Obama told Congress he is willing to support pilot projects to examine changes in the malpractice system.
Part of the Republican concern for tort reform, however, is politics. Trial lawyers are some of the main financial backers of Democratic Party candidates.
Health care reform should supersede politics. Millions of Americans, including Virginians, are counting on Congress to do better, to extend coverage to the uninsured, and to bring costs down. That can't be done with even the best free clinics.
"A facility like this is a flaming indictment of a failed health care system in this country - the wealthiest in the world," said Montero.
Earlier this summer, nearly 2,000 people in Wise County lined up - many before dawn - to get free dental care, eyeglasses, cancer screening and the like. Who knows how many will be able to afford regular health checkups before the free clinic returns next year?
America's current system is too broken for too many people. Free clinics can play a role, even an important one, but they are not the solution to our problems, which have grown simply too big.
Rep. Forbes and his colleagues in Congress must know that.
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Medical Malpractice
Today's medical professional liability system is too adversarial and too expensive. There are alternatives. More at http://www.healthcaretownhall.com/?p=1596.
Tort Reform?
OK. How about we do trial lawyers like the government wants to doctors and hospitals. We'll introduce LawyerCare. When a lawyer bills $750 per hour for their services for an accused citizen with no lawyer insurance, we'll parallel lawyers fees like medicare. Lawyer charges $2500 for law services and LawyerCare will pay $250.00 and that will be all they can collect. We'll also surtax the lawfirms for lawyer mal-practice insurance along the same rates that doctors and hospitals pay.
After all lawyer fees are high as well, just like medical care and are out of control. Perhaps we can have the government subsidize free law clinics. After all, no one should have to go to court and go to jail without being represented. Right?
Can you say
"Public Defender"?
too many 'give me' programs already
There are too many give me programs already. People need to choose whether they need reduced houseing, free adult education, healthcare, cell phones, cars, etc., etc. If you aren't concerned enough to work for some of those things then you have to choose between the most necessary.
Many of us are tapped out and cannot afford to be taxed any higher. We have to make decisions every day to do without things, or put off spending on wants and desires until after we have paid for our needs. Those of us who are footing the bill for all this social spending are just taxed out.
What some liberals cannot seem to figure out is that the entire populace does not make the same money as politically connected developers.
Republican denial
Regretfully, when you speak the truth, you get set upon by those who have been annointed with the republican mantra of cut taxes. Of course, yesterday the republican leader in the House of Representatives said he supported extending coverage, supported cost containment, supported reform of plans that cut customers off when they file claims and deny coverage for pre-existing conditions, and supports tort reform as well. Of course, he followed that up immediately with the comment that he does not support increased fees or mandates to pay for these reforms. In other words, just like McDonnell for transportation, he wants everything but denies the obligation to pay for it. Any citizen who continues to buy this baloney has either taken leave of their senses, or is in a permanent state of denial. Fact is, we all pay now for lack of foresight on the part of the republican party; in much too high health insurance costs, and in lost productivity on the highways.
have you finished yet?
Have you finished your ranting...I had fallen asleep.
Left
Another far left view by a one dimensional Op Ed board. It's almost election season and soon we'll hear how bad all Republicans are.
Balance at the Pilot Editorial staff?
If the Virginian-Pilot cared about offer balanced, non-biased view points then they would have balance on their Editorial Board. But, they admit that they do not. The Pilot's comments lean Left, attack the Right, and become simply propaganda as a result. Clearly Tort reform is a part of the solution for lowering health care costs to try to make the needs of citizens more affordable.
Oh man, the stench that comes off...
some of these editorials is overpowering. That would be because of the hypocrisy we're feted to, which is in turn because the Pilot's Editorial Board is comprised in it's entirety of Dem Party mouthpieces and abettors! Let's look at some of their own words here..
"He argues that federal laws need to be revised to limit malpractice awards and to give tax breaks to doctors who volunteer at such centers." This is their latest back handed slap at Randy Forbes, who rightly endorses the contributions such facilities as this can make. But the Pilot isn't going to DARE disappoint their Dem Party masters and endorse anything that interferes with the cash spigots! Geezz..
Post completion..
"Part of the Republican concern for tort reform, however, is politics. Trial lawyers are some of the main financial backers of Democratic Party candidates." You know, if the positions of the parties were reversed, and the Republicans benefited from the trial lawyers, the Pilot's EB would be leading the charge here, saying that they were beholden to them and doing their bidding!
"Health care reform should supersede politics." So, 'superceding politics' is supposed to mean ignoring tort reform and allowing the ambulance chasing lawyers (that John Edwards stands tall these days, does he not?) to continue to reap their often ill-gained rewards? And all to ensure those uninterrupted contributions to the Party the Pilot champions?
Like I said, the stench is overpowering!
Still the BASTION of the Democratic Party.
This attack on Rep. Forbes sounds as if it was written by the Democratic National Party propaganda team. It's about time that the Virginian Pilot Editorial Staff puts a disclaimer on their statements.
A disclaimer?...
You think that's going to happen? And a disclaimer for what? The Pilot's Editorial Board IS the DNC, period. They exist for the sole purpose of advancing the Dem Party agenda. I'm convinced the subscription I pay is nothing but a campaign contribution to the DNC by way of the Pilot!