Getting Out of Your Comfort Zone
Freelance Medical Writing Services by Debra Gordon
by Debra Gordon
3y ago
When is the last time you did something for the first time? I heard this adage (for the first time) a few days ago just before embarking on my first Tough Mudder—a 10-mile run (OK, walk for me) interrupted by 20 obstacles, most of which involved cold water and mud. One even had electricity. It took my husband and me nearly five hours to finish. Why, at age 54, was I doing this? Because I never had. Because I still could. Because if I don’t keep challenging myself I will atrophy physically, mentally, and emotionally. It’s why a very good friend, who is in his 70s, is right now walking 500 mile ..read more
Visit website
Republicans’ Last-Ditch Effort to Destroy the US Healthcare System
Freelance Medical Writing Services by Debra Gordon
by Debra Gordon
3y ago
I haven’t written a blog in months because, to be honest, I simply don’t know where to start when it comes to what certain people are trying to do to our healthcare system. But this time they’re going too far. I’m talking, of course, about the Graham-Cassidy-Heller-Johnson healthcare bill Republicans are trying to shove through the Senate before a September 30 deadline. After that date, they need a 2/3 vote to pass it, which means Democrats on board, which means no way in hell. The New York Times editorial board nailed my feelings about this bill when it wrote: “It is hard to overstate the cr ..read more
Visit website
Health Care and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day
Freelance Medical Writing Services by Debra Gordon
by Debra Gordon
3y ago
Well, they did it. They came up with the worst possible “replacement” for the Affordable Care Act. The horrific plan that the House Republicans passed on Thursday threatens not only the health insurance of 24 million people, but those of us lucky enough to have employer-provided health insurance, anyone covered under Medicaid, and anyone who ever dreamed of leaving the security of an employer to start their own business or otherwise follow their dream. Not only did they throw the baby out with the bathwater, but they buried her 10 feet deep in a remote spot in the Amazon. In passing this appal ..read more
Visit website
Why Does an MRI Cost $2,500 Here and $250 in Finland?
Freelance Medical Writing Services by Debra Gordon
by Debra Gordon
3y ago
Just had dinner last night with an old friend from Finland. He’s a physician so, of course, the talk turned to health care and the differences between our countries. I asked him how much an MRI cost in Finland. With a few clicks on his phone he had the answer: about $250. Not to be outdone, I pulled out my own phone. The average price of an MRI here? About $2,500. And therein lies the problem. The US spends more per capita on health care than any other industrialized country in the world. And before you say we have the best healthcare system in the world, let me tell you th ..read more
Visit website
Wave Goodbye to Your Health Insurance
Freelance Medical Writing Services by Debra Gordon
by Debra Gordon
3y ago
This is the third in a series of posts examining various components of the Republican replacement plans for the Affordable Care Act (ACA).  Republicans Plan to Shred the Affordable Care Act It’s here. The Republican plan to replace the Affordable Care Act. Bottom line assessment? If you like the health insurance you have today you can say goodbye to it tomorrow, particularly if that insurance comes thanks to expanded Medicaid programs or a federal subsidy. Here are the just a few of the highlights of the two proposed bills: 1. Scraps the individual mandate; adds a penalty. Currently, all ..read more
Visit website
Yes, Mr. President, Health Care Is Complicated
Freelance Medical Writing Services by Debra Gordon
by Debra Gordon
3y ago
I nearly fell off the couch when I read the President’s statement that “nobody knew health care could be so complicated.” Um, Mr. President, everyone knew. In fact, health care is considered the most complex industry out there. That would be why, as you and your colleagues are finding, transforming the system is “incredibly complex.” It is also why it will be nearly impossible to repeal-and-replace the Affordable Care Act (ACA) with something better unless you move to a single-payer system.You can, of course, focus on fixing its weaknesses. I remember a healthcare economics ..read more
Visit website
Replacing the ACA: Selling Across State Lines
Freelance Medical Writing Services by Debra Gordon
by Debra Gordon
3y ago
A cornerstone of every Republican plan to replace the Affordable Care Act (ACA), including the president’s plan, is to allow health insurance companies to sell their products across state lines. The Republicans claim this will increase competition and drive down costs. Health policy experts, including the National Association of Insurance Commissioners and the Center for Insurance Policy and Research, say it will do exactly the opposite: Drive up costs and reduce choice, particularly for those with medical conditions. State Regulations on Health Insurance First, a bit of background. Stat ..read more
Visit website
Replacing the ACA: Will Health Savings Accounts Work?
Freelance Medical Writing Services by Debra Gordon
by Debra Gordon
3y ago
The problems with high-deductible plans and health savings accounts Note: I am beginning a series of posts examining various approaches the Republicans are touting as replacements for the ACA. Sorry, but no alternative facts here. Several years ago (ie, pre-ACA), I needed to buy health insurance on the open market. The cost of an individual policy and the deductible was atmospheric because I had a pre-existing condition. And, of course, the policy didn’t cover costs related to my pre-existing condition. Luckily, I had just incorporated my business. Since I had two employees (my husband and I ..read more
Visit website
Winners and Losers: Assessing the Ramifications of Repealing Obamacare
Freelance Medical Writing Services by Debra Gordon
by Debra Gordon
3y ago
After voting at least 60 times over the past six years to repeal the Affordable Care Act (ie, Obamacare) only to see their efforts stymied in the Senate, the Republican House is fairly foaming at the mouth at their golden opportunity to reach Nirvana now that they also control the Senate. Indeed, the Senate passed a budget resolution on January 4 to begin the process, instructing the House to have a repeal bill ready by January 27. You can read how this might work in this excellent article in The New York Times. There’s just one problem: Despite the six years they’ve spent trying to kill ..read more
Visit website
Goodbye 2016, Hello 2017
Freelance Medical Writing Services by Debra Gordon
by Debra Gordon
3y ago
Looking Back on the Year in Health Care: There Were Some Bright Spots I don’t know about you, but I personally hate end-of-year columns. I had to write far too many when I was a newspaper reporter (back in the day when you got ink on your hands while reading a newspaper). So why am I writing one, you ask? Sigh. Blame it on the young lady who handles my social media. She’s making me. So here goes. 2016 Highlights in Health Care There’s a lot of moaning on social media about 2016 and what a terrible year it was. And yes, it did suck for many reasons, none of which I’m going to go into here. Inst ..read more
Visit website

Follow Freelance Medical Writing Services by Debra Gordon on FeedSpot

Continue with Google
Continue with Apple
OR