Do you want medical care from the 'cheapest in town'?

United States
December 21, 2008 12:56am CST
I was listening to Jeff Foxworthy tonight and he said something very interesting: He had seen a billboard claiming that an eye clinic had the cheapest LASIK surgery in town. He replied that if he was to go to a place that did eye surgery, he would want to go to someone with a little more pride in his work. Why the slogan "Cheapest in town"? Why do we endeavor to lower the cost of medical care? Do you really want to be treated by healthcare practioners claiming they cost less that others? Would you want to have your doctor treat you using equipment from the lowest bidder? Two issues that drive medical costs: wages for the healthcare workers, and cost of medical equipment/pharmaceuticals. My belief is that you would not want to cut wages for the doctors, nurses, pharmacists, radiology techs, laboratory techs, etc (conflict of interest notice: I am a medical technologist and work in a hosptial laboratory). But, to me, the real culprit is the cost of medical equipment and pharmaceuticals. Example: Most of us have seen the nylon, padded 'coolers' with the zipped lid. The coast US$9.95 to US$19.95 depending on size. Put a medical emblem on it, call it a specimen transport bag and now it costs US$69.95 to US$99.95! Essentially it's the same bag! Any way, thats my story. What is yours?
2 responses
@syzygy (35)
• United States
21 Dec 08
I wouldn't go to the cheapest in town unless their credentials and work place were really good. I rarely go to the doctor because my health has been good (knock on wood). When I do or if I do, it's usually for something serious. I wouldn't want someone incompetent treating me. What if they mess up the diagnosis? If I was to break a bone, how do I know they're setting it correctly? If I didn't have health insurance, then I would take the chance and go for the "cheapest in town".
• United States
21 Dec 08
When we are sick or injured, we need to go to those who know what they are doing. And those that are good at what they do always charge more. They're services are more valuable. Here I would have said that the cost of services would be no measure of the quality of services. Now days, those that are 'quacks' charge just as much as the real deal, if not more. Without health insurance, many people go without medical care or use the "cheapest in town". Is there any solution to this dilema? Thanks for your response. I wish you a healthy and happy New Year.
@keasling (723)
• United States
3 Jan 09
I heard the same thing from Jeff Foxworthy. It was a funny bit but completely true. Where did the cut costs to make it the cheapest? Makes you wonder if they are skipping a part of the cleaning process or equipment maintenance part. Too scary for me. Now I know that our family doctor if I had to see him would charge only 60 cash while he charges the insurance 250 dollars. That I can see :)