Tuesday, February 12, 2008

Ever Wonder Why....2/27

I received this promo from Dell and Microsoft:

Your choice of a PC can dramatically improve the lives of people living with AIDS in Africa. Windows® is proud to partner with Dell™ and (RED)™ to give you an opportunity to buy (PRODUCT) RED next time you buy a PC.

For every purchase of a Dell (PRODUCT) RED PC, Windows and Dell will make a contribution of $50 to $80, depending on the product purchased, to The Global Fund to help improve the lives of people in Africa affected by AIDS. $50 is enough to pay for almost four months of life-saving antiretroviral treatment for one person suffering from AIDS.

It's simple. You choose Windows Vista Ultimate (PRODUCT) RED, we give to The Global Fund, and people in Africa benefit.

It is a beautiful choice with a powerful impact.

My question, to the drug manufacturers, and our elected officials is, Why does four months of antiretroviral cost $80 in Africa, and why shouldn't it be the same price here?



Last I heard, the treatments, not just the cocktail, cost thousands per month. So why are we paying (at levels that threaten to bankrupt our healthcare system) the much higher price for the same drugs? Is it because they can get away with it?

But, it isn't only that. What has happened to our healthcare system? Years ago, in a fee-for-service era, you got sick, you went to your doctor. He listened, you talked. He talked, you listened. You paid him. Simple. Now, with the system we have, you pay the HMO, they pay the doctor, a percentage of what he bills, so he feels the need to cram more patients into the time slots. Little talk, less listening. Less paid. The price of progress.

This really isn't the fault of a free-market system. It happens in socialized medicine as well. The money you would have paid to the HMO, would go to the government. They would 'manage' the system. The physician receives less, as does the patient. ...And the level of caring is even less. ...And what program has government 'managed' correctly, or under budget?....keep thinking.....

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