Not About the Money

Hand holding fanned out Canadian money.The Canadian Press Images-Mario Beauregard
The Canadian Press Images-Mario Beauregar

Almost 50% of couples divorce, but 90% never fight about money, according to a new study.

Government has fought with doctors for almost 50 years now, and it looks like all they do is argue over money. This assumption is reasonable, and wrong.

Money is a Distraction

Most grownups pay attention to their accounts. They limit debt and make payments on time. They know that money runs out.

Government takes a different approach. In part, government does not need to worry; it can always raise taxes. But voters will not tolerate anything. Taxes run out, too.

When doctors and government fight about money, observers often miss an important point: Government does not really need to worry about the money it spends on doctors. Continue reading “Not About the Money”

Distract Doctors, Gain Control

distracted-parentSmart kids learn to distract and stay out of trouble. They know Mom won’t bother about overdue homework, as long as she stays stressed about something else.

Politicians do the same. They distract voters with new handouts, or even better, stoke anxiety about Zika, Global Warming or some other ominous event.

Just do not let voters ask about things that government can impact, like patient wait times.

How to Gain Control

If government wants to shape society, instead of just serving it, politicians need the power to tell people what to do. Continue reading “Distract Doctors, Gain Control”

Unspoken Debates – 1st Step to Recovery

kids-ask-questionsDysfunctional families sit down for dinner and dance around old feuds. They trip over unspoken debates and pray the kids don’t ask awkward questions.

The same thing happens in healthcare. Doctors sit down with patients and try not to think about why healthcare works the way it does.  Hopefully no one asks an awkward question.

How to Create a Mess – 101

In theory, healthcare works like this: Doctors care for patients and leave funding to the government. If patients need specific care that no one offers, some doctors retrain so that they can open clinics to provide the needed service.

Doctors fill needs and niches. They form an organic network of medical services and referral patterns around patient care.

Everything would work fine, if government could just let it happen and step in only when doctors and patients asked for help, for problems they cannot solve themselves.

Instead, government jumps in with its own ideas, even when no one asks. Continue reading “Unspoken Debates – 1st Step to Recovery”