a healthcare story

I began work as a medical technologist at Parkview Hospital in 1977. We were sold by Dyer county to Methodist Health Systems following a nasty uprising by employees and physicians.  MHS offered 10M over market value for Dyersburg and soon after bought up the other six in West Tennessee. It was a bidding war between Methodist and Baptist and MHS won thanks to Maurice Elliott.  That meant they had a lot of damage control after this huge buy.  We went from paper to LIS in a matter of months which was pretty cool.  They treated us well and we got regular raises based on performance.  There were parties and Christmas gifts .  Free turkey dinner.  The volunteers, including my parents, were a big part of face value there.  They were honored as well.

Somewhere around 2003 the vision of MHS shifted from funneling patients to Memphis to being a transplant center. The entire West Tennesse seven were sold to Community Health Systems, a for profit rural healthcare brand.  They had facilities all over the country and were on a binge to get more.  There was a huge deal brokered by some hedge fund manager to merge with HMA in Nashville.  Once again, we changed hands.  The CHS stock was selling at 60 bucks a pop at one time.  Last time I checked it was about five dollars.  The merger was a huge mistake financially and they began to sell off what they had bought.  That was right after I retired.  

I have spoken with many patients and families who are extremely unhappy with inpatient care at this facility.  Many of them have said "enough" and gone elsewhere.  Ditto for the employees, at least the ones who care.  To be a healthcare practitioner requires patience, thought and compassion.  Otherwise it's just a job.  Is that what you want when you're sick or dying?

I got a bill today from said hospital for my part of carotid ultrasound.  203 bucks on a 1600 dollar charge after insurance. I get 10% off for paying within a month.  Why does a diagnostic test like that cost 2000 bucks?  Here is my theory.

My FNP sent me for those diagnostics and a referral to a surgeon to cover her ass and rightfully so.  I still don't know what I owe for that referral but I'm sure it's pricey.  Add to that I had to travel to Jackson to even SEE a specialist.  There is something wrong with this picture.  

One of my most vivid memories of work is when we hired Corizon to install and implement a cath lab.  That is when the diagnostics ramped up with stress tests and whatnot.  Funnel them to the cath lab.  I saw a lot of bad shit up in there.  

Basic healthcare is a right and I don't know the answer as long as things function as they are.  Medicare for all is not sustainable or economically viable but there must be a better way to keep us healthy.  Lifestyle choice....meh.  Unless you're a meth addict we mostly try to do the right thing for our bodies.  

One thing I know for sure is that our POTUS could care less.  Until others grasp that idea, it's all for naught.