Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz, Sept. 28
“We’re number 1!” Not hardly.
During our “physician briefing”, prior to our Santa Cruz presentation, we learned that the Public Health Agency of Canada has published a travel advisory for, of all places. California, which is in the midst of the biggest outbreak of pertussis (whooping cough) in 50 years. Because of four thousand cases and nine infant deaths, so far, this year, California is being treated as we treat underdeveloped countries, whose health care systems are primitive or otherwise failing, thereby putting travelers at risk.
How can this be? Don’t we have the best health care system in the world. Nope. Number 37th actually. Many health insurance plans don’t cover routine immunizations, many of which are recommended as for public health. Isn’t PPACA going to change this by covering preventive care? Nah. It only applies to new/renewed policies and many older group policies will remain “grandfathered” which means that some provisions will never apply to them. They will pay for a portion of expensive treatment, but not for prevention. Their profits will put YOUR infant at risk by keeping whooping cough endemic in your community.
That’s why I call it a sick care non-system.
