Comments on: Hits & Misses #2 – 2009/10/16 http://www.john-goodman-blog.com/hits-misses-2-20091016/ Insights on Health Care Reform | NCPA Fri, 12 Mar 2010 15:36:11 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Joe S. http://www.john-goodman-blog.com/hits-misses-2-20091016/comment-page-1/#comment-47130 Joe S. Fri, 16 Oct 2009 21:45:44 +0000 http://www.john-goodman-blog.com/?p=6019#comment-47130 Re: Linda's comment. In addition to Cooper, Saving and Rettenmaier have a similar finding in a study done earlier this year for the NCPA. Re: Linda’s comment. In addition to Cooper, Saving and Rettenmaier have a similar finding in a study done earlier this year for the NCPA.

]]> By: Larry C. http://www.john-goodman-blog.com/hits-misses-2-20091016/comment-page-1/#comment-47129 Larry C. Fri, 16 Oct 2009 21:42:57 +0000 http://www.john-goodman-blog.com/?p=6019#comment-47129 There is a very real possibility here that the externalities from not wearing a helmet are positive and not negative, as has been traditionally assumed. There is a very real possibility here that the externalities from not wearing a helmet are positive and not negative, as has been traditionally assumed.

]]> By: Linda Gorman http://www.john-goodman-blog.com/hits-misses-2-20091016/comment-page-1/#comment-47119 Linda Gorman Fri, 16 Oct 2009 19:28:19 +0000 http://www.john-goodman-blog.com/?p=6019#comment-47119 Rochard A. Cooper of Wharton has already skewered the Dartmouth Atlas claim that more spending gets no increase in quality in the December 2008 Health Affairs. The Dartmouth folks assume that Medicare is a good proxy for overall spending. Turns out that isn't true. In fact, the quality of care seems to increase as the fraction of Medicare spending making up the total decreases. The more spending equals no quality improvement is a central plan of the claim that we need to reduce health care spending to eliminate what, it is assumed, is waste. This argument was made when US infant mortality was claimed to be high even though we spent a lot on neonatal ICUs. It proved to be wrong. The argument was made with respect to aggressive treatment of cardiac conditions. It proved to be wrong. It has also been made with respect to cancer care. Wrong again. Maybe the third time is the charm? Rochard A. Cooper of Wharton has already skewered the Dartmouth Atlas claim that more spending gets no increase in quality in the December 2008 Health Affairs.

The Dartmouth folks assume that Medicare is a good proxy for overall spending. Turns out that isn’t true. In fact, the quality of care seems to increase as the fraction of Medicare spending making up the total decreases.

The more spending equals no quality improvement is a central plan of the claim that we need to reduce health care spending to eliminate what, it is assumed, is waste. This argument was made when US infant mortality was claimed to be high even though we spent a lot on neonatal ICUs. It proved to be wrong. The argument was made with respect to aggressive treatment of cardiac conditions. It proved to be wrong. It has also been made with respect to cancer care. Wrong again.

Maybe the third time is the charm?

]]> By: Devon Herrick http://www.john-goodman-blog.com/hits-misses-2-20091016/comment-page-1/#comment-47116 Devon Herrick Fri, 16 Oct 2009 19:09:29 +0000 http://www.john-goodman-blog.com/?p=6019#comment-47116 When I ride my Harley I always worry about drivers talking on their cell phones and texting while driving. Now that every driver has a cell phone capable of texting, I imagine organ donor waiting lists will fall. To reduce the chances of accidentally becoming an organ donor, I wear a helmet that's so large it makes me look like "Jack" from the Jack in the Box commercials! When I ride my Harley I always worry about drivers talking on their cell phones and texting while driving. Now that every driver has a cell phone capable of texting, I imagine organ donor waiting lists will fall. To reduce the chances of accidentally becoming an organ donor, I wear a helmet that’s so large it makes me look like “Jack” from the Jack in the Box commercials!

]]> By: Ken http://www.john-goodman-blog.com/hits-misses-2-20091016/comment-page-1/#comment-47115 Ken Fri, 16 Oct 2009 19:05:27 +0000 http://www.john-goodman-blog.com/?p=6019#comment-47115 Nice piece on motorcycle helmets. Interesting perspective. Nice piece on motorcycle helmets. Interesting perspective.

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