Why Are So Many Americans Dying of COVID-19?
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- Опубликовано: 30 сен 2024
- Why Are So Many Americans Dying of COVID-19? I'm a Board Certified Surgeon in practice for over 10 years and I'm going to share with you why so many Americans are dying of COVID-19. Buckle-up buttercup, 'cause you're probably not going to like it.
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Dr. Buck Parker, MD is a Board Certified General Surgeon and can be found here online here:
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Other countries tend to hold onto their elderly folks and care for them at home versus placing them in nursing homes. Other countries are more family-focused, less individualistic than the western world. They value communal behaviors: completing tasks together such as family meals, growing and cooking whole foods, etc.. Let's be honest, nursing homes in the western world are used as a placeholder for elderly folks that don't have anyone to care for them and as a result are thrown into a home and left to whither away. No one will care for one's family member as their own. And nursing home staff are understaffed as it is, so much so that is is difficult to focus on the quality of patient care... that is for another talk. We can go back and forth all day about who is responsible for who and what.
Our society would benefit from promoting preventative measures, we know this, but where is the action!?
Keep the videos coming, Dr. Parker!
Not every adult has time to take care of some 80+ year old man with Alzheimer's, family or not.
@@seoulsoul7446 there is truth to what you and I have mentioned. There is a lot of gray area.
Oh oh I have an idea!! Maybe a piece of fabric shouldn’t have been politicized! 🙂
Masks dont do shit
@@Mina-np5pl i spent 10hrs in surgery yesterday smartass, thats not the same as the covid mask situation. Good try though.
@@Mina-np5pl
I mean whether masks are helpful or not.are you really comparing surgeons masks situations with everyday life ones? Lmfao
M Surgeons wear masks to prevent bodily fluids from entering their mouths or noises. What’s your point?
Thor Odinson sure thor
I'm an internal med in California: the covid triple threat for patients who done poorly have been: obesity, diabetes and old age.
Want to hear more “health stuff”
I'm really glad that working in medicine has helped you see that obesity is not an individualistic problem but a societal issue. If it was individual then every nation with good access to food would have the same rates of obesity. Unfortunately your speculation in regards to fragility index and being older you are simply incorrect. Japan has a much more ageing population than the US. The UK has more of an ageing population than the US and similar levels of obesity. It doesn't matter what you factor for in the data The US is doing worse than other developed nations and it may be difficult to hear this but also developing nations.
Containment, adherence and accessibility to care are far greater factors according to the best meta-analysis we currently have. I understand it is deeply upsetting that a lot of people are dying due to this... the answer is not to deny that it is happening. Please speak to more colleagues who work specifically in epidemiology and family medicine. Continue the dialogue.
The U.S. still allows food companies to add stuff to food that has been banned in other countries. In the U.S. healthy food is twice the price of processed food.
@@lethabrooks9112 very true. As a European I am always shocked by the US lack of regulation on various things. Weight can be a symptom of poor diet but it is not the only negative of diet. I'm concerned about the lack of research into various food preparation practices in the US and would not be surprised if there are unforeseen long-term effects for some of these substances. The EU doesn't exactly ban anything outright but it does require that you prove it to be safe to various standards before sale if it is a consumable. It is my understanding that the entire US supplement industry is not bound by any FDA regulations which is highly alarming to me as they could theoretically sell you anything.
Letha Brooks Really what has been banned in other countries, namely which countries, that are allowed in US food?
Rose Juliette Agree on supplements. Same can be said for the entire “organic” scam. There has been almost no peer reviewed studies on any benefits from eating organic. Same might be said for vegetarianism and keto dieting.... fads can kill!
I wouldn’t mind some health news every once and awhile. Just don’t turn into that every video
You hesitated to here, but it's fair to distribute blame to Americans. Our culture has made the problem worse here & it's right and correct for Americans to accept responsibility for the elements of our culture that have done so.
Hopefully RUclips doesn’t delete this video because it doesn’t fit into their political narrative.
Well they allow every thing else. RUclips deletes video with no reason. They have other controversial topics that are still on.
Finally someone who doesn’t just say “orange man bad” and actually looks into the scientific data. No point in politicizing a virus.
More science, less peaceful protestors!
Nick ward Trump is a puppet he is controlled by the puppet masters
This was anecdotal speculation and not reflective of the data. I think it is more likely that you hope for this to be true because it is in line with your pre-existing bias. as I had wrote in my comment to Dr Parker "Unfortunately your speculation in regards to fragility index and being older you are simply incorrect. Japan has a much more ageing population than the US. The UK has more of an ageing population than the US and similar levels of obesity. It doesn't matter what you factor for in the data The US is doing worse than other developed nations and it may be difficult to hear this but also developing nations.
Containment, adherence and accessibility to care are far greater factors according to the best meta-analysis we currently have. I understand it is deeply upsetting that a lot of people are dying due to this... the answer is not to deny that it is happening. Please speak to more colleagues who work specifically in epidemiology and family medicine. Continue the dialogue."
At no point did you see me say orange man bad... but it does challenge orange mans talking points and for that reason many of the "orange man good" people will instantly dismiss this. There was a major failure in preparation in the US and that isn't really up for debate.
@Jay Cardon they want you to feel like trump is bad when they all the same the just want you to hate trump is idealogies “conservative values “or some and believe it or not “Christian values”now I don’t believe this I am just saying what they are saying you have been programmed to believe this so when the masses defeat Donald Trump all that idealogies will be considered radical crazy and who ever has it will be considered an enmy of
They are all working for the same agenda a new world order
I live in the uk and my cousins are doctors and they said that they have been instructed by the nhs (national health service) to report any unusual deaths as covid deaths regardless of wether covid was the actual cause of death. So I don’t think the numbers here in the uk are very accurate.
*potential covid deaths
I am also in the UK and what you are referring to are guidelines that help us track unconfirmed cases. These are not counted in any statistics because it isn't public data. The data you receive is actually only confirmed deaths. We have many cases that are only later confirmed to be covid and are then added to the confirmed list. This is one of the reasons there can be a peak on days where older deaths are updated on the system to have a confirmed cause. If we don't do this we could lose track of adapting strains of the virus. This can leave us open to potentially more deadly versions of covid. we already have covid-19 we don't want to see a covid-21 and unfortunately that is a real possibility.
No the numbers aren't accurate but it is much more likely that we had initially under-reported cases than over-reported them. Please take this virus seriously.
Rose Juliette there was an 18 year old who went into the LGI with gallstones and died his covid test was negative but his death was still formerly reported as a covid death.
@@leayahmalik420 I called my coworkers in Leeds to find out what I could. Obviously there is a patient confidentiality involved here so I can't reference or claim to have seen the specific case files you are referring to. I'm also not going to file a FOIA request to prove that someone on the internet is misrepresenting information. I think it is enough to say that this would be a major breach of protocol and both internal reports and if needed public whistleblowing would be expected. According to multiple trusted contacts I have working in Leeds this would not have happened and it would be actually difficult for it to happen. See this would leave not only the doctor up for litigation but the entire NHS as the NHS is accountable for their staff in any case of forgery (which is the specific type of fraud this would be treat as in the courts).
If someone had a negative vivid test and the doctor sited cause of death to be covid this would be instantly flagged internally and would require review. This isn't just true of covid but any diagnosis. Documentation is taken very seriously and errors occur... Thus we need relevant error correction for anything in a patient's records including after death. What may have happened (if I'm being generous to the idea that you didn't just make it up) is that a doctor had reasonable suspicion that a covid test had produced a false negative result and refused to rule out covid until pm testing occurred.
Specifically in relation to the diagnosis you suggest as cause of death... I would definitely agree that it would be suspicious if someone came in with gallstones and died. Cholecystitis only occurs in like 1% of gallstone patients and is generally survived provided the patient is being seen. The only thing I could see as being possible is if the patient got sepsis or some other complications. Nobody comes into the hospital and dies of gallstones... There is always something else. It is due diligence to not rule out the various infections that would contribute to that patient's death.
I don't know what to tell you... I think that you and whoever has given you this information are already working from the bias of believing that this is all being manipulated to appear worse. I would love for that to be true but I have seen far too many deceased persons to feel that way.
If you start from a position that says that you should be sceptical of current factual data then you are beginning your search for truth with the bias of assumed conspiracy. A conspiracy that spanned not only the entire NHS but every major medical organisation in the world? Where are the whistleblowers.
If you are being honest then I would tell you to encourage your doctor friends to blow the whistle on this because as a medical professional I would see it as my duty to expose this kind of practice... But I don't think you are telling the truth. I think you are just being unnecessarily skeptical about the impact of Covid-19 and are willing to believe that the NHS are committing mass fraud in order to inflate numbers. I mean if you stop believing that then you would have to evaluate your preconceived opinion.
If I see your doctor friends in the news over the next few days for blowing the whistle on this I'll put my hands up and admit that I was wrong. If they don't blow the whistle though then I can only assume that they are cowards unwilling to defend the inalienable rights of their patients like any good doctor would... Or that there was nothing to blow a whistle about.
Rose Juliette we are muslims and they knew that we prefer to burry our dead asap and they basically told my mums cousin that she could have an investigation (which they told her would take weeks)for her son or she could go along with it and be able to bury her son quickly. Being a Muslim she decided she would just bury her son and not have the biopsy. The coroner who has dealt with many many burials for our community also said that his body had not been sealed like the people’s bodies who had died from covid had been. Also his mum is not resentful of the nhs as she and the rest of our family know just how stretched the nhs is, we are very grateful for all of their hard work and we also know that they’re not doing anything maliciously, the nhs is just so stretched.
its the same in quite a few places my man, this is why youre seeing the mortality rates as such, also very curious how the flu has basically dropped out of existence since covid
Health News would be great Dr. Parker! :)
I don’t know any elderly morbidly obese people. Honestly, the majority of obese people are not going to live to get that old. Not sure what age you are talking about being old. I do know, from what I’ve seen, having diabetes plays a huge part in whether or not a person will live if they get COVID-19. The majority of the cases I know of that passed away from COVID-19 had diabetes. Obviously being overweight leads to a multitude of problems. I know in the past, drs were not taught much about nutrition. It seems there is a move towards “food as medicine” and supplements. Drs are even recommending taking Vitamin D, Zinc, and Vitamin C to boost the immune system. I think this is a very good thing.
Bro you should read Atul Gawande's Being Mortal- it speaks about the aging population issue humanely and sensibly. Also you're looking great- must be that black as fuck coffee- keep it up doc!
Lawrence Brooks Just celebrate his 111th Birthday 😇 and looks great. Are we talking about age or obesity here Doc. Bring back the Surgery videos!
I think we need more preventive medicine. The US is great in medical innovation and treatment but it’s treatment of diseases, etc. we need to teach people how to not put their body in position where they are among the “at risk” population dying from covid. I think it’s the next leap in medicine where there is practices of preventive medicine or even better education throughout schooling.
If you mean healthy lifestyle as preventative medicine, then yes. Drugs can’t help you reliably loose weight and get good sleep or stay on a workout routine. People in the US are so unhealthy. I bet less than 30% of people in the US could run a mile in under 10 minutes. It’s not just laziness. It’s because Americans overwork themselves, eat fatty foods, and don’t get enough sleep. The amount of bullshit that is pushed in the dietary nutrition industries is astonishing and it definitely worsens the problem. People don’t know what foods will help them loose the fat. People think eating more fat will help them loose fat. Keto diet kills.
THIS.
agapp11able I meant a leap for Americans and your right
evade187 yes I didn’t mean drugs or pharmaceuticals. I meant preventive company’s or education to extend healthy years and it’s not a popular topic to bring up because all the billions in the trash junk food industry. But it makes me sad seeing people including myself occasionally eating terrible processed food that leads to DNA breaks and furthers the aging process which leads to disease. Maybe in the next 5 years I’ll be back and have a company fully formed for this.
Yup us Americans needs to think about changing our mindset around food. Because a lot of what we eat promotes disease and other co-morbidities that contribute to the “Covid-19 deaths.”
Wouldn’t a lack of exercise be part of the problem as well? I’m in college, I remember in HS we had mandatory gym as part of our curriculum. In college, I can count on 2 hands the number of people who frequently go to the gym from my HS.
I agree. Lack of exercise is part of preventative medicine. Eating right and exercise, in many cases, is the best medicine. Developing a healthy lifestyle is most important. Since you’re still young, remember that. Do it now and it’ll become habit. You’ll maintain a much healthier body throughout your future years. Last thing you want to do it get fat and old and when you retire you can’t even enjoy your retirement because of all the health problems. Or live a life of fear: like many are doing now, who are in that situation.
Please stick with the medicine in which you are trained. Japan's population is older in demographic profile, they have marketing people as aggressive and sophisticated as the United States, they have Pepsi, Coke, and McDonalds, and they have their own Warren Buffett. You put no effort into comparatively understanding different societies and health outcomes, and it shows.
Your observation of obesity in the United States and its virtual absence of it in Japan is accurate but obvious. Your understanding of why the difference exists is simplistic. You would not do that in areas of medicine you practice, I suspect. You are a physician; please exercise better critical thinking skills in the health field.
Obesity rates likely play a role in morbidity and mortality rates, but how much of a role? How much of the difference in death rates does this account for? Why do infection rates appear much higher in the United States? Given our obesity rates, what would our death counts from SARS Cov-2 look like with Korea's or Japan's infection rates? Do you think that we have the same infection rates?
It is unclear if you are talking on a rate basis or absolute numbers. You seem to be talking on an absolute basis, but maybe I missed something. The first reason why more people die in the US is that there are more people are infected with SARS Cov-2 on a rate basis and, of course, in absolute terms, since we are approaching a population size three times that of Japan.
Studies I read early on found COVID age standardized mortality rates between China, Italy, and the US similar. I have not checked it lately, but if I made a video to inform the public as a physician I would.
Your conclusion that capitalist, marketing, and fast food corporations explain differential death rates is sad at best.
So, you are just doubting everything he said without knowing much of anything. Also, the words are written in English but the grammar reads like the work of a translator application.
@@rockinrastae2600 In what area was I incorrect in my critique? And as for the grammar, what issues do you have with that so that I can correct it? I am a native American English speaker, but perhaps I am a poor writer, forgive me.
I heard that elderly people in The “blue zones” are healthy and active. Rather than being put away in nursing homes, the elderly live with their families and contribute to the household- They garden and cook. They are valued by their family and they are stronger for it!
Is the blue zones like on the coast, or a political term?
Chaim Edell they are areas that have been identified to have a certain (high) percentage of centenarians. The color blue actually has nothing to do with it, and was randomly chosen by the man who coined the term because he used a blue highlighter to mark the areas on the map. ;) Watch the series on Netflix called Down to Earth with Zac Efron, and there is an episode about the blue zones. The whole series is eye opening to how other areas of the world do things. Highly recommend!
People always find someone to blame when they can't take responsibility for their own actions. It's not Coke's fault certain people don't use their own free will to exercise self control. With that logic you could blame Netflix for providing an easy option for a sedentary lifestyle or Ford for making cars so that you don't have to walk to the grocery store.
Japan has the oldest Population So What about the people who die of covid who are not obese and have health problems ?
😕😕I'm fat and I have asthma
Nice Panerai Luminor👍
i am in a small town with predominantly smokers and the entire 17 bed ICU is full of vented COVID patients
We missed you, glad you're back 💗 Nice video that sums up everything 🥰
What happened to your 911 GT3? Do you plan on getting any other super cars or sports cars in the future?
Ah u shall see it shortly!!!!:;
@@drbuckparker Holy shit you saw my comment
What car? Lol
Car chat about Health.... 👌🏼👌🏼👍🏼👍🏼❤️❤️
I love your videos. I love how you aren’t sucking up to the libs. Keep being awesome!!
We need more smart people like you. Keep the good videos coming! Thank you
Hair. - regrown hair with rice water thicken and length up to 6 inches in a month..; , can I come work with you ? Work in your office? I could learn so much more. Maybe you wouldn’t have to work so hard . !! I have a RUclips channel! Check me out. But keep sharing I am so interested !!!
Remind me to sleep on a nice futon on the floor when I'm old so I have no high bed to fall from.
Not gonna lie, I think weight and nutrition have a part to play in it, but I also think it’s a bigger fault in our heath infrastructure- we have great physicians but it’s so hard to get insurance so less people get regular care that could prevent comorbidities. Also, with how hard it can be to get a test in the US, a lot of people can’t get tested/ wait far too long so the symptoms progress and worsen and get potentially fatal. Combined with lack of gov’t support (I.e. a full shut down, UI benefits, and other measures that could help people stay home and quarantine) the spread isn’t controlled and ppl aren’t getting support they need to avoid having a more severe case
hi ! I live in Malaysia and covid-19 cases in our country are increasing now...and the government ugh they're the worst...
Dr. Buck, I want yout sweatshirt (lol). Do you know the brand or where you bought it?
Saw an article recently, in the state I'm from (Michigan) both the average age and the median age of COVID deaths were in the 75-80 years old range. Less than 50 years of age is quite a small fraction. I do think obesity is a huge part of the problem too.
I thought BMI’s weren’t entirely accurate portrayal of wether or not someone is overweight? For instance, I have a lot of muscle, one of the most physical jobs and am 5’11. I weigh about 220, which is overweight on BMI scale, but I am active and can’t imagine weighing 170 and feeling or looking healthy.
What would account for the few reports of younger guys with body builder physique and athletic getting really sick?
we also have the highest population of over 65 in the world not counting china. japan has the highest 65 per capita but us vs japan we have just higher numbers.
Let's not hold anybody acountable for anything anymore. Be uncsience your hole life.
Please give a medical professional option on the mask debate! Love the channel!
In this country cost more to eat pure food all you doctors are in on it I'm very much against drugs .take them only incase of emergency thank God I'm almost 60 and very healthy
I agree that Buffet promotes his junk food choices however he doesn’t seem to be overweight.
Well jokes on COVID.....all my weight is on my ass =P
You are my favorite RUclipsr, Dr. Buck. Keep'm coming. Love your opinion!
Imagine me speaking in a *Texan* accent
“Cause no body give a fuck bout no Corona”.
Everybody different why so many people have died is not for you to answer .
Clicked on this one instantly
Me too, bro
I feel more and more like Buck Parker looks like an older version of brentperezz.
please don't cry doc....,things happen
You are the best
Buck, totally unrelated but don't have so much coffee man... it increases the risk of glaucoma... take care..
Brazil has high rate they r not as far as Americans
Doctor están usando sus fotos en una aplicación llamada lovoo para estafar gente
So my fat ass needs to get in the gym again
Where is he driving to?
Yes please, more health news!
Thank you!!
yes more vids plzz
We are being lied to!
More health news.
I’ve seen necks with crumbled bones as Jesus shows me. Or bad bones in backs, or knees, I pray Jesus to heal restore and release his anointing and power they are healed .!! All pain discomfort is gone ! Then I thank Jesus for doing it !!! The people healed set free and saved $$$. Dr. Jesus ; healed them. ,
Lost weight gain strength muscle , heat of the summer my body swells up I look overweight but I strong as an ox til weather is cool again then the weight drops ! Any suggestions as to why !? The body acts like this????
Your assumption that all obesity is based on poor diet choice. You forget genetics. Diseases like PCOS cause women to be obese. I could look at food and gain weight without eating a morsel.
@ubu 9 do you know ANYTHING about PCOS? No, your Male and wouldn't know about a problem affecting WOMEN ONLY
stop making excuses, not everyone who is healthy is genetically blessed. Some just go to the gym and eat healthy
ubu 9 I’d be more concerned about carbohydrate intake rather than fat. Nutritional fat does not equal physical fat.
I assume you are aware that PCOS is the exception to the rule and not the rule itself.
Oh finger bones - ( Jesus) made my crooked finger bones straight - I’d damaged them by car cling knuckles on the school bus age -12.
nails tissue and fixing of cracking of nails
Love to hear more in medicine. God has shown me a lot for people health their care and insights when doctors where stumped with a patient issue.
Oh I’d like to know more about the Skin .
The layers!
The rejuvenation of the skin
The restoration of skin after weight loss and the excess amount
The difference of skin between. The female / male is there any?
I’ve so interested. ! I’ve been praying for people health well being n prosperity . If Jesus shows me !!! It comes to past .
The blame for the obesity is not the fast food chain. We became obese when the government got involved in dietary recommendations and created the food pyramid. Prior to the 'food pyramid' and the 'science' that supports eating a diet rich in grain, we started making different choices because we trusted our benevolent government. If government stayed out of our lives, as it was supposed to do by design, we'd be healthier
By the way, our dietary recommendations included extra grains because it would save the government money on welfare for foodstamps.
❤️ Stop thinking of covid just be instrumental and light and follow protocol ❤️
what’s your speciality, doctor ? are you general surgeon?
Can I consult you about something?
Great Post👍 It's all about the money here in USA 🇺🇸 unfortunately our foods are not so healthy here 😢 , but we can make better healthier choices 😉 seen a obesity🚗 🤣🙈🧐🤪 totally agree with your views on the situation of Covid-19 situation💯👍 unfortunately it has happened All Over The World 🌎 this Covid-19 pandemic world-wide. Stay Safe Everyone out there & oh Stay Healthy 🙏❤
Xo 😘
I saw this surgeon lady on youtube... so i thought of you. Havent seen you much on here. I wanted to get some surgery but was staying away because of covid. Its just a minor lingering health problem. I'm skinny with type o blood. Guess that helps a bit. I've had shortness of breath one day but otherwise was like having a cold. I've heard type o blood is a bit better for covid. ICAM protocol seemed to help fight covid. Immuno support, corticosteroid, anticoagulant, macrolide... if any one knows what that actually is. Macrolide inhibits protein synthesis and is an antibiotic from soil bacteria. Good something seems to help. Not 100 percent but good to know. I was just doing a bit of light reading.
Hello doctor i am from pakistan i am ENT specialist surgeon right now my speciality FCPS..now i want to go in usa for few years and for practice for this purpose usmle exam is required or any other exam ? Please reply me must
Thanks for speaking up, speaking truth, about the health angle around coronavirus. However, I don't believe elderly "are living too long" I feel they are living too sick and they don't have to be so. Even the old and sick can turn it around ---- Whole Foods Plant Based nutrition should be in EVERY nursing home! I agree that old sick people who are on half dozen meds to stay alive to live day in and day out and now isolated in their little room is very problematic and quite cruel.
I wish there was more personal accountability. It would be so simple.
How hard is it to say, "Metabolic syndrome? Yeah it's my fault, I eat like shit, don't exercise drink q day and smoke x 1/2 pack"
I actually agree with you that obesity contributes but you’re not considering the fear factor that’s suppressing everyone’s immune system right now. I feel like that’s making everything much worse. So it’s like people are obese and scared which leads to them being even higher risk. Food for thought.
Very interesting. Yes I enjoy your videos and opinions, I like how you call a spade a spade and not mix your words. Thanks for sharing. 💊💉
Dr Parker I love your videos and i eagerly wait for new videos. Keep them coming regularly. Throw in your funny side too as i love your jokes
Her in my country also have a higher no of CONVID19 patient for not following safety for not wearing mask and get closed together. Is good to have help news in your video you post.
The difficulty breathing thing reminded me of a story I believe you told on Instagram of an obese patient who was put on a vent to repair a very small head lac (I believe) and ended up dying of a similar way described.
Dr. Parker you are my favorite YT / Dr. creator. You are not afraid to speak your mind and that’s what make this channel genuine. Also the health news videos would be great 👍🏽
Hi hope your having a good day ! and hope you guys stay safe
I'm an international student going to a caribbean medical school in two weeks and i was wondering how can I prepare my self for the match in order to get a good residency program and what should I do else than studying and working hard on my USMLE exam score .
IMG related video and Chance of Surgery Resisency Matching In USA
plus our reporting systems are much better and more honest.
You think China is honest about their cases?? Noooooooooooo!
I love looking at how many god diggers are in Dr. Buck's Instagram comments, its just soooo funny!
Doc, i love saw your video again. Please telling us, how peopoe got infection in kidney? 🙏❤
Good to see you making videos again Dr. Harper...keep it up love your work 🙏
this guy still his video up i guess it falls in line with the woke mob. 99.98% recovery rate
Yea dude please do that. That's why I come here - to hear what you think about stuff.
Health News vids would be really cool. I feel like its hard to find takes on health news from working doctors opposed to just regular news outlets.
Soooooo Americans hold on to their elderly. What do you suggest we do with them ??
I like to hear your ideas on what causes some of the health issues we are challenged with today. I think you have a very interesting and unique perspective. Good to see you again
Totally outta context but I wish i had your mindset and attitude towards living
Lots of love doc❤️
Yes please! More health news. Great vid Dr. Buck
Glad you shared your insights. Put me at ease. 🙏🏾
Liked 😊 nice to see new video! Like the topic
Dr when you do Q&A please let us know beforehand about the date and time in a short video
Dr when you do Q&A please let us know beforehand about the date and time in a short video
“If we do get sick and need to be hospitalized, it hits us financially with the insurance and those kinds of payments, but it also hits us financially because we’re not able to work any longer,” Maginn said. “It’s a double whammy for the healthcare workers doing this right now.”
His health insurance, which also covers their three children, costs $5,000 a year plus the money they set aside for out-of-pocket costs in a tax-free account.
“We work for the hospital, it should be that we would have the most access to it [healthcare], but unfortunately yeah, that’s not how our country is set up.”
Congress has allocated $100bn to help hospitals. On Friday, the White House said hospitals that accept the funds will not be allowed to use two common billing practices: to bill uninsured patients or bill them for getting care from a doctor who is at the hospital, but not directly employed by it.
Like other parts of the planned government response, questions remain about just how effective that money will be in addressing the convoluted healthcare landscape and if it will arrive in time to save jobs and clinics.
Financial burden on the frontlines, not the insurers
This major disruption to the US healthcare system may leave nurses and doctors jobless, but there are early indications insurance companies could be insulated from the damage.
Not only did health insurance companies enter the crisis with capital, several analysts have anticipated these companies could have lower costs because fewer people are seeking routine medical care.
David Blumenthal, president of the global health thinktank the Commonwealth Fund, said people who have coverage year-round will still be paying premiums, while insurers have fewer procedures to cover.
“We will continue to pay our premiums, because we know that we could get coronavirus and end up in the intensive care unit and have to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars if we don’t have insurance,” Blumenthal said. “So we’re going to keep paying, but we’re not going to the doctor unless we absolutely need to. So that’s all good news for insurance companies.”
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At the same time, the 16 million people who have lost their jobs in the past three weeks will put an increased burden on the healthcare system if they join the ranks of the uninsured or those who use Medicaid, government health insurance for low-income people.
A refrigerated truck is seen next to Wyckoff Heights Medical Center in New York City.
A refrigerated truck is seen next to Wyckoff Heights medical center in New York City. Photograph: Pablo Monsalve/Corbis via Getty Images
Blumenthal said there were also knock-on health effects to the economic crisis, such as depression from income loss and malnutrition, which would make people more susceptible to illness.
Benjamin Sommers, professor of health policy and economics at Harvard TH Chan school of public health said there are few signs the pandemic is driving the Trump administration to reflect on the healthcare system.
“We’ll have to see where the public ends up settling on in terms of what it demands from public officials in response to this epidemic,” said Sommers, a practicing primary care physician.
The ICU doctor, Gaffney, said he was certain the way healthcare is financed in the US is exacerbating the overall harm of the epidemic.
“At a time of soaring unemployment and at a time of deepening recession, people are going to be losing coverage and seeing more and more medical bills if they get sick,” Gaffney said. “That doesn’t make any sense.”
America is at a crossroads ...
... and its direction in the coming months will define the country for a generation. These are perilous times. Over the last three years, much of what the Guardian holds dear has been threatened - democracy, civility, truth.
The country is at a crossroads. Science is in a battle with conjecture and instinct to determine policy in the middle of a pandemic. At the same time, the US is reckoning with centuries of racial injustice - as the White House stokes division along racial lines. At a time like this, an independent news organisation that fights for truth and holds power to account is not just optional. It is essential.
Because a lot of them are getting it. End of story.