Bob Herbert: "Hard to Believe!":

[cali]

Hard to Believe! BOB HERBERT

Published: August 14, 2009
Plainfield, Vt.

It was strange to find in this economically stressed, rural region of Vermont, not far from the state capital of Montpelier, a good news story about health care.

Those who live in the area, no matter what their income, can get high-quality primary care, dental care, prescription drug services and mental health assistance at a price they can afford. All they have to do is call or stop by the Health Center at Plainfield, which is part of a national network of centers that are officially (and clumsily) known as Federally Qualified Health Centers.

I was somewhat skeptical when Senator Bernie Sanders, an independent from Vermont, told me that these centers (there are 39 sites of various size in the state) had “essentially solved the problem of primary care” for local residents. Politicians are in the business of making big claims. Most of the time you don’t hold it against them. But you don’t take the claims as gospel, either.

In this case, the senator’s claim seems to be very much on the money. The center at Plainfield is modern and well equipped, spotlessly clean, quiet and efficient. Patients that I spoke with marveled at the friendliness of doctors and staffers and said they never felt intimidated. Appointments are easily made, and if it is necessary to see a physician on the same day, or within 24 hours, that is usually not a problem.

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http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/15/opinion/15herbert.html

[Chemisse]

1. Very good! Is it state funded?

It's funny how people say a universal health care would bankrupt the country. I don't see Canada and the European countries folding under the strain. If they can do it, we surely can.

[cali]

2. No. I believe the funding source is federal monies. There may be some

state funding involved but this is a national program.

[HamdenRice]

3. I was talking to a doctor who said not just public option, not just single payer, but VA for all

It's interesting that this idea is being floated. I think someone wrote about this in a thread I started the other day.

The basic idea is that in addition to other reforms, one necessary component eventually is going to be public health centers staffed by civil service doctors and nurses, that you just walk into and that compete with the private system.

[stray cat]

5. VA care in general isn't very good as much as they like to claim otherwise

[HamdenRice]

6. This doctor is a part time VA doc, and she says the care at her hospital is excellent

But I think VA hospitals vary tremendously. This one is in New York. Most of the patients are vets from WWII, Korea and Vietnam, and it has not been overwhelmed by Iraq and Afghanistan veterans, which I think is what is causing the problems in other areas.

[stray cat]

4. 2 billion a year from Federal government to cover it - that gets expensive to go nation wide

but the idea is good and credit goes to Vermont for doing it in their state

[formercia]

7. US Public Health Service

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As the Acting Surgeon General, I'm honored to oversee the operations of the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps—a group of 6,000 dedicated men and women who serve their fellow citizens, their country and their world. When Americans living in isolated communities need better access to necessary health care, the Corps fills the gap. When natural and manmade disasters threaten public health safety, the Corps is there. When children and adults both here and abroad face potentially ravaging diseases, the Corps takes action to prevent, treat and eliminate sickness and suffering.




http://www.usphs.gov/AboutUs/

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