how to raise money for an expensive surgery

why not broadcast it online? viewers can pay a small fee and hospital and medical equipment suppliers will pay larger fees to advertise directly. if you don't have insurance and can't afford to pay for the surgery, there's nothing wrong letting the public watch. some viewers will be medical students and learn not to repeat mistakes when something goes wrong and you die. at least you won't die in vain or leave your family in debt.

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Should a doctor treat a masochist patient with pain?

Medicine and technology have improved so much that it's possible to go to the dentist and if the dentist is good not feel a drop of pain, something that was not possible years ago. That kind of medical treatment, however, assumes that all patients like to avoid pain. What if a patient is a masochist? What if the patient actually prefers treatment with pain over one without? Asking this question to a patient would be the politically correct thing to do and for patients who are masochists it would mean respect and more satisfaction. If we establish the right of the masochist for a treatment with pain, does the doctor have the right to refuse such treatment to a patient who asks for it? On what grounds? The treatment will heal the patient.

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Public Healthcare

This thought was posted on Thinkaloo on 25 February 2008 by member smartypants

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H. Clinton and Obama are advocating more requirements to own/provide health insurance. As a teacher, public healthcare seems very reasonable and humane. As an economist, I question if we are prepared for the changes in the supply and demand of doctors?

Just thinking ahead to the future. . . If more people own health insurance, I expect there will be an increase in doctor visits due to accessibility. There is already a shortage of doctors in the US. In 2010, doctors will be required to have computerized records of all patients. These new mandates will probably drive doctors (not ready for change) into early retirement.


We will need to prepare for these changes by 1) Increasing the supply of doctors 2)Decreasing the demand for doctors.

My ideas:
1)Provide incentives or money refunds to people who do not frequent the doctor's office.

2)Allow doctor's assistants (nurses) to prescribe antibiotics for more common illnesses (flu, cold, strep). I'm not sure how practical or safe this would be, but would be interested to hear a professional's response.

3)Shorten the length of medical school for doctors who specialize in more common illnesses.

4) Government funding for students in med school.