Listening to the Democratic Party contenders for their party’s presidential nomination debate health care for all and its cost makes me sick.
Health care for all is affordable and should not cost trillions of dollars if the cost of health care is reduced to what it actually costs instead of the inflated prices charged today by doctors in America. A subject I have written about in the past where I have compared America’s ridiculous sky-high medical costs to where I live in Hong Kong and other Asian and European countries, as well as Canada.
This was brought home to me recently when I started experiencing severe pains in my right knee. I asked friends in the U.S. who had experienced similar pains and gone ahead with knee surgeries about their experience. Costs and post-surgery experiences to determine what I should do.
I was horrified at the cost that thankfully their insurance paid for, and the ongoing pain experienced by all and the long time it took to recover—not fully—not only from pain but the range of motion.
In researching the matter to decide what to do, I found out that knee problems have become increasingly common—impacting a quarter of all adults. Over the past 20 years, complaints of knee-pain have increased 65 percent, resulting in nearly four million primary care visits. Many of these visits are for replacement parts.
The number of knee replacements performed in the U.S. has more than doubled over the course of 2000s, with more than 600,000 now done each year. By the year 2030 it is estimated three million knees will be replaced.
I decided to get several medical opinions as to what I should do. Surgery or physical therapy because I wanted to avoid taking pain relief drugs or go through an invasive procedure if possible.
I decided to follow the advice of Dr. Eugene Charles, a Manhattan based chiropractor and Director of the Applied Kinesiology Center of New York who says: “If body parts were meant to be replaced, they would have a warranty,” Charles said. “Keep them in alignment. Keep the muscles balanced. Keep your weight down. Stay hydrated. Get enough protein and oils, and your knees will really take you where you want to go.”
The weekly physical therapy I am getting in Hong Kong costs US$60 a session. It includes acupuncture, cupping and exercise.
My excruciating pain is gone and I am thankful I didn’t listen to some of the doctors and friends who recommended surgery.
America must get back to basic affordable medicine. Medical costs are affordable if medical practitioners give the right advice and stop practicing moneycine!
Health care for all, done right, is affordable!