ImSpartacus2 wrote on Feb 20
th, 2014 at 1:38pm:
aquascoot wrote on Feb 20
th, 2014 at 8:18am:
They are really going after the wrong end of the system. Australias spend on primary care (GP's ) has declined as a percentage over time.
It is the spend on very very expensive high tech and high end pharmaceuticals that will cripple the system
If a drug to treat end stage breast cancer (ie prolong life by 6 months with no prospect of a cure) costs $100,000 a patient. Should this be listed on the pbs and paid for by the taxpayer. What if its 2 months, What if its 5 years.
These are the difficult questions that the government need to discuss with the public.
Doctors will not (and should not) be making decisions based on economics. They will always do what it best and bugger the cost. The taxpayer and the government need to decide what level of care they want and then provide it efficiently and equitably.
Actually no, this is the difficult question you need to answer. Let Tony Abbott speak for himself and you speak for you. Because ultimately I expect your answer on this will be one of the issues that guide you when you cast your vote in the next Federal election. So, lets try and answer it shall we.
Should we let that woman die from breast cancer because she can't afford the medicine or should we, the tax payer, be prepared to pay for the medicine so she doesn't die? Whats your answer to that? Your question leaves out the most important part:
Quote:to treat end stage breast cancer (ie prolong life by 6 months with no prospect of a cure)
Your question leaving out the above would get a resounding NO
The question in full would get a resounding YES
Our problem as a society is that apparently we are all entitled & not allowed to die.
Entitled - example - any women over 40 on IVF- have your kids when your body is supposed to.
I laugh at my friends in their late 30's early 40's having their 1st child, Im 43 my daughters just turned 18 & guess what, so have my wife & I.
Not allowed to die - The countless examples of people being brought back even when they have stated Do not recus then linger as virtual vegetables for years.
The 90 year old Alzheimer sufferer, no idea where or what they are let alone who who has major medical intervention for anything really.
But of course we not only want the above, we want tax cuts as well.
On a personal note- my mother died from Breast Cancer 14/8/95, actually we don't know what eventually killed her as an autopsy was refused.
The breast cancer caused Peripheral neuropathy.
The screams that came from the bedroom as palliative care nurses moved her to bath her, the memory still bring tears to my eyes.
needless to say by 1/2/95 death was begged for instead of a cure or extension of life.
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