09/09/2009: "LWV Offer A View of Health Care Crisis"

(Dr. Paul Hochfeld -film capture photo)

The League of Women Voters of the San Juans will sponsor an open meeting September 14 at noon at the San Juan Library to view and discuss a provocative film “Health, Money and Fear,”

The 45-minute video presentation will be followed by an open discussion; and the League particularly encourages those who have first-hand knowledge of health care issues to attend and share their expertise.

Dr. Paul Hochfeld has stated “During almost thirty years of practicing emergency medicine in Corvallis, Oregon, I have been increasingly frustrated by the multiple absurdities of our health care system. Because of patient expectations and fear of liability, I order expensive tests for people I wouldn't order for friends and family. There is no incentive to ‘do’ just enough and untold perverse incentives for caregivers to ‘do’ more and more and more at great expense, and sometime at harm to those we are supposedly helping. Uninsured people come to the ER because of difficulties in accessing more appropriate care. Health insurance premiums are rising at 10-20% per year.”

The film presents a history of the U.S. health system, and submits arguments as to why health care costs have increased. In a submission to an MIT Alumni blog, Dr. Hochfeld stated he is an “advocate for something that resembles a single payer system.”

The film was produced by Dr. Paul Hochfeld, and is being made available for the local showing by the Washington State League of Women Voters.