plugger
Joined: 11 Jan 2003
Posts: 226
Posted: Mon Jan 19, 2004 4:46 am Post subject: Costs
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I was curious as to what the ESRD program was costing, so I looked through the Annual Data Report at
http://www.usrds.org./ It was and eye opener! In 2001 it was $22.8 billion. Compare this to 1991 when it was $8 billion! This is almost triple the amount! Of course you have to factor in the fact the ESRD population has doubled (106%). Still a huge increase.<
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>But I suppose for all the extra money thrown at it and technology improving, there should be better care! Uh, no. Deaths have increased by 123%.<
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>And what has coincided with these big changes? Page 15: "The care delivery system has altered rapidly since the late 1980s, with the majority of patients now receiving treatment in for-profit units operated by large chains." A coincidence you say? Not from what I've been reading here for over 3 1/2 years!<
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>It looks like I've got one more thing to write my Federal Reps and presidential candidates about. How about a moratorium on further expansion of these for-profits? What is happening here also seems to be happening with hospitals and nursing homes. <
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>ESRD Population growth pg 172 of 2003 ADR<
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>Mortality growth pg. 172 of 2003 ADR<
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>Costs in '91 and '01 pg. 162 of 2003 ADR <
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Lin
Joined: 28 Oct 2002
Posts: 337
Posted: Tue Jan 20, 2004 8:37 am Post subject: Well, Golly
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The first thing that came to mind was "stop, you're killing me":"> Perhaps a good title for that letter! It would certainly get attention. I've been blessed that I have now been in two good centers, however it makes me angry because I read about the awfull centers others are exposed to. It makes me wonder why (if they all charge alike) that the same high quality of care isn't apparent acrossed the board. Why isn't it mandated? All pts. should receive the same quality. After all, wer're consumers, and as such when you purchase something it has a guarantee/warantee and if something doesn't work right you return it for something that does. Oh of course, I know that is what the network is supposedly for Lin.
