Socialized Medicine....WHAT IF?

[unclebenny20]

Socialized Medicine...what will happen if Obama changes the US health care system like he says he will and turns it into socialized medicine or something similar? What will the ramifications be for us nurses?

[lindarn]

I think that it is a real possiblility that a nationalized medical plan could really impact nursing in a negative way. Some of us have been in the health field for many years and have seen both the good and bad that can come down the pike. It's all about money, at least that's my opinion. Our govenment is based on capitalism. Which means it's all about the all mighty dollar. If hospitals can save money by limiting or getting rid of RN's and letting LPN's or UA do our job they will. Some of us have lived through that. While it is a wonderful dream that all americans will get the same kind of medical care that congress gets, I don't see that happening. It comes down to money. Who do you think gets to pay for this? We do. We already pay for Medicare and Medicaid. How do you think we are going to pay for it? Taxes, what else. But, do you think our salaries will go up? NO! One thing to remember is that, while Obama may have a plan, it's congress that has to put it in to action. The current congress has done little except give themselves a raise and bailout Wall St. So for me, I say "Be Afraid, Be Very Afraid".

A couple of years ago, I proposed this scenario, concerning the PTB deciding to save money, getting rid of and replacing RNs with LPNs and unlicensed personnel. I was slammed and accused of being too radical in my opinions. Really. Look at what is going on now. Nurses aides, with only a few days of training, passing meds in nursing homes and assisted living facilities. More and more of our professional practice being sold to the highest bidder. State boards of nursing allowing incompetent staff to do what has always been PROFESSIONAL DUTIES of an RN or LPN.

Is this really a far off scenario? Probably not. We should be afraid, not only for our careers, but also for the patients who will have to endure this poor excuse for patient care. JMHO and my NY $0.02.

Lindarn, RN, BSN, CCRN

Spokane, Washington

[APRN., DNP, RN, APRN, NP]

Um, this has happened at a hospital I worked at already. No ward clerk, they frequently have to clean rooms and the only person who gets a raise is the CEO. No government involvement there.

For clarity....that's why the "or" was placed between the two statements.

[THAT Nurse., BSN, MSN, DNP, RN, APRN]

lindarn,

We just recently had that issue here in TN. Nursing homes wanted to be able to train CNAs to administer meds. While it was stopped, LPNs were granted the ability to push meds, including narcotics IV "under an RN's supervision".

When I graduate I want to provide the direct patient care, not "supervise" an LPN and CNA who do it.

[getmeoutofhere]

I do not think we will have a totally socialized system. I think we will have a hybrid of socialized and private.

The best five healthcare systems in Europe could be said to be a mixture.

[getmeoutofhere]

Here's a scary thought: Imagine that you depended upon the government to give you pay raises instead of the individual hospital? Or how about this: Due to cost cutting measures, you are now losing your ward clerk, and you will be cleaning your own rooms in between patient discharges/admissions.

Well here in the uk that major private sector companies have one thing in common, sack the little guy or reduce the terms and conditions they work under and then you discover that the CEO has seen a massive pay-rise. can you be sure it won't happen whichever sector you were in?

[getmeoutofhere]

Our first child, was diagnoised with ALL when he was a little of 3 years old. Over the course of 4 years, we racked up over a million dollars in bills, between hospital stays, clinic vists, ED visits, etc. Our insurance company paid most of the bills and what didn't get paid Children's Hospital in Philly wrote the rest off. While our son didn't survive, I do wonder if a national health plan will cover the cost of another family in this situation. When it comes to insurance companies, it's all about their bottom line. How much their share holders make.

Well, reading another forum on healthcare, one of ther posters said that when she switched insurance companies when pregnant, the company refused to cover that costs as it was a pre-existing condition. wouldn't happen here in the uk!

[getmeoutofhere]

Without a doubt, anything subsidized by the Government will lead to the lowest wages they will get away with, it will also lead to poor access to health care and services, the Government can't run a business, just look at all the countries under socialized medicine, it would be a step backward, far far back :

Really, my experience is that the private sector provides services that cost more and are poorer than when run by the State.

And i cannot think of too many private sector healthcare providers who pay more than the nhs!

[getmeoutofhere]

Unless things have changed in most of the countries with socialized medicine, I remember reports from Canada, England and other European countries with this type of health care that scared the crap out of me.

Really!

most reports i read from americans about the us model make me glad that their an ocean separating me from it.

if their is a god, thank you!

[herring_RN, ASN, BSN]

getmeoutofhere:

thank you for posting your knowledge.

[Overland1, RN]

Under socialized medicine, all patients will receive equal quality of care and services, so we have been told. This gives us fairness, so we have been told.

This, in itself, is an interesting concept, and is most definitely something to think about.

[loriangel14, RN]

The care you receive is not according to what's in your wallet. My daughter was born weighing one and a half pounds and spent 16 weeks in the hospital. My cost? just the gas money to drive to the hospital every day. She received the best care possible, no treatment or procedure was ever questioned or with held and I didn't have to file for bankrupcy. I cannot imagine having to get permission from someone at an insurance company to get the care you need.

[nursbee04]

For clarity....that's why the "or" was placed between the two statements.

Regardless of the "or," I assumed you were presenting both these situations with the idea of government involvement. My mistake :wink2: